UPDATED: Lloydspharmacy ‘selectively selling’ branches to independent buyers
Lloydspharmacy has confirmed that it is “selectively selling” some of its branches, but stressed that only those located in Sainsbury’s stores are “at risk of closure”.
It comes as C+D today (April 27) revealed that Sussex-based chain Kamsons Pharmacy has acquired five Lloydspharmacy branches this month.
A spokesperson for Lloydspharmacy told C+D today that the multiple “is reviewing its community pharmacy estate and is selectively selling some branches”.
Read more: Kamsons Pharmacy reveals acquisition of five Lloydspharmacy branches
However, they stressed that “no Lloydspharmacy store is at risk of closure, except those within the Sainsbury’s estate”.
They added that the “majority” of the buyers of these branches are “independent pharmacy owners and local businesspeople”.
These buyers “have demonstrated that they are committed to our branch teams and patients and are well placed to meet the ongoing health needs of the local community”, the spokesperson said.
Read more: All Lloydspharmacy branches reportedly ‘at risk’ of closure
They told C+D that the Lloydspharmacy team is “pleased that its colleagues from these stores will be joining successful local businesses”, although it remains unclear whether this is the case for all staff at all sold pharmacy branches.
It also remains unclear how many branches are being sold and how many located in Sainsbury’s stores are to be closed.
There will be “no change” in the way that patients use their local pharmacy, the multiple stressed.
Lloydspharmacy closures
Lloydspharmacy has recently battled rumours and media reports that all of its branches are “at risk” of closure.
However, in a statement to C+D last month, a spokesperson said that the multiple “does not comment on articles that have been published based on unverified information”.
Read more: Wes Streeting ‘really alarmed’ by Lloydspharmacy closure reports
C+D exclusively revealed in January that the multiple will withdraw its pharmacy services from all 237 Sainsbury’s stores over the course of this year.
It is as yet unclear whether each of these branches will close or be sold.
Read more: Lloydspharmacy quits Sainsbury’s: What we do (and don't) know so far
At the time, the multiple told C+D it was “exploring options for each individual branch”.
Meanwhile, C+D yesterday (April 27) revealed the locations of all eight Tesco pharmacy branches that will close from August.
