By Neil Trainis

Boots has said it is recruiting for more than 1,500 pharmacy roles and welcomes applications from staff at LloydsPharmacy who are concerned about their future following its decision to close its branches in Sainsbury’s stores.

In a statement today, Boots said it is looking to recruit “at all levels” across the UK, including pharmacy advisors (dispensers), trainee pharmacists and experienced pharmacists. 

“Pharmacies deliver vital healthcare in the heart of communities. News of the closure of LloydsPharmacy branches within Sainsbury’s stores will no doubt have an impact on many talented pharmacists as well as their patients,” said Sebastian James, the managing director of Boots UK & ROI.

“We have many roles available at Boots and welcome applications from LloydsPharmacy employees affected by the closures. Patients who are worried about their future pharmacy provision can check our store locator online to find out where their nearest Boots store is. Our pharmacy team members are ready to help.”

Last week, LloydsPharmacy said it was “exploring options for each individual branch” and was “committed to its colleagues and is doing all it can to support them through the process.” 

Boots said its offer to individuals who join it includes “a competitive salary and discretionary bonus scheme” as well as “a comprehensive range of benefits.” That, the multiple said, includes access to its retirement savings plan, pension scheme and “generous staff discount with enhanced savings on Boots own brand products and services and enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay.”

Boots also said there are “a range of professional development opportunities” for new employees such as becoming one of more than “2,200 Macmillan information pharmacists or progressing into store management.”

Boots is not the only pharmacy chain to offer staff affected by closures at LloydsPharmacy the chance to apply for a job. Day Lewis said on its LinkedIn page: “We are as ever keen to help any Lloyds colleagues who may be impacted and are looking for their next role. If you are affected, please email onboarding@daylewisplc.co.uk to see what opportunities we have available for you at Day Lewis.”

Well Pharmacy also said it would consider taking on staff impacted by LloydsPharmacy closures.

"I was sorry to hear that LloydsPharmacy are closing its pharmacies across the Sainsbury’s estate," said Well CEO Seb Hobbs. "This will have an unsettling impact on patients, who will need to find a new pharmacy to support them, and on the many community pharmacy professionals affected, who will need to find new roles in the sector. 

"We’ve been serving the health and wellbeing of our local communities for over 70 years, and are an independent family business, dedicated to improving the lives of our patients and customers. We have over 760 pharmacies across the UK that are on hand to help patients and lots of roles available for staff affected by the news."