An independent pharmacy chain has exited the market after the final sale of its portfolio.
Whitworths Chemists Limited sold its final branch on Broom Lane, Rotherham to multi-site operator Broomlane Pharma Limited.
The chain was put on the market in November 2023, and 118 offers from 83 different parties were submitted for its 34 pharmacies.
C+D reported in June 2024 that Whitworths expected to complete the sale of its pharmacies by mid-2024.
Brokers Christie & Co said the pharmacies were sold at undisclosed prices to corporate operators, multi-site operators, and first-time buyers.
The portfolio span across the north of England and had an average dispensing volume of around 8,500 items per month, with some pharmacies dispensing as many as 22,000 items per month.
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John Whitworth established the pharmacy chain in 1999 and has remained family-owned since then.
The family’s shareholders chose to sell the whole portfolio after deciding to retire.
Christie & Co pharmacy director Jon Booth said it was “very satisfying to get the final sale over the line for the family and directors” and he wishes the new owners the “very greatest success in their acquisitions”.
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It comes as two high-dispensing South Wales pharmacies have been put up for sale for a combined £2.35m.
In January, Christie & Co’s head of pharmacy Jonathan Board sat down with C+D to talk trends, priorities for first-time buyers, and how the next funding deal will impact the market.
