Well Pharmacy has bought 11 branches of LloydsPharmacy in Scotland, with staff in all branches to be kept on.

In a statement today (August 3), the multiple revealed that the new branches will be rebranded “in due course” and said the acquisition highlights its ongoing confidence in the community pharmacy sector “despite some challenging times for the sector – including branch closures by other chains”.

The 11 stores bought from LloydsPharmacy are:

• 37 High Street, Annan, DG12 6AD            
• 10 Kilblain Street, Greenock, PA15 1SR   
• 391 Kilbowie Road, Glasgow, Clydebank, G81 2TX             
• 263 Alderman Road, Glasgow, G13 3AY  
• Livingstone Boulevard, Blantyre, Glasgow, G72 0BP          
• 156 Main Street, Wishaw, ML2 7LU         
• 80-82 Main Street, Wishaw, ML2 7AB     
• Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, FK5 3BF    
• 2 Viceroy St, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5HT
• Kirkcaldy Health Centre, Whyteman's Brae, Kirkcaldy, KY1 2NA    
• Caol Shopping Centre, Glenloy Street, Caol, PH33 7DR     

The UK’s third largest pharmacy multiple has to some degree bucked a trend set by LloydsPharmacy and Boots. In the year to April 2022 it shut two stores – far fewer than the two biggest multiples – and in June announced the acquisition of Lexon UK and its 46 pharmacies, although it agreed to sell seven of its existing stores to assuage competition concerns.

Meanwhile, LloydsPharmacy has shuttered all 237 Sainsbury’s branches and sold dozens more, and Boots will have shut 300 stores by the end of this year.  

Well Pharmacy chief retail officer Andrew Caplan said: “We know it’s been a worrying time for staff and customers of LloydsPharmacy, and we’re delighted to be able to welcome these 11 pharmacies, their teams and communities to the Well family.

“We’re hugely committed to the future of community pharmacy. We know that millions of people depend on their local pharmacists for help and support on a regular basis, and that’s ever more vital as their role expands.”

Mr Caplan said the company is committed to “helping our new colleagues develop their skills and build their careers with Well”.