The business acquired Community Pharmacies (UK) Ltd for an undisclosed sum, it announced this morning (July 3).

The 18 health centre pharmacies located across England are "predominantly" partnerships with GP surgeries, Day Lewis confirmed.

Day Lewis executive director Jay Patel said that despite the “ongoing cuts facing pharmacy”, the chain “continues to invest in the sector”.

“The acquisition strengthens our business further,” Mr Patel said. “A strong Day Lewis enables us to support our colleagues, while helping us to reach as many patients in as many communities as possible.”

Mr Patel added that the company is “on track” to achieving his late father Kirit Patel's target of owning 400 pharmacies by 2020. The company passed the 250-pharmacy mark in April 2015.

Community Pharmacies Ltd CEO Andrew Murray said Day Lewis was the “right fit”, because the two businesses shared the same “vision and values”.

“Day Lewis has long been recognised as one of the best independent operators in the industry,” Mr Murray said. “I look forward to working with them.”

Jay Patel told C+D in March that the chain wanted to “grow our way out” of the challenge of the pharmacy funding cuts.

See where all 18 of Day Lewis's new pharmacies are located here.

Search for the latest Day Lewis vacancies on C+D Jobs.