Bestway Healthcare has acquired the iconic London-based pharmacy, John Bell & Croyden.

Established in 1798 by John Bell, the pharmacy has been a landmark in central London for 225 years and held a Royal Warrant from the late Queen Elizabeh II.

Andrew Caplan, chief retail officer at Well Pharmacy, said: "We are delighted to welcome John Bell & Croyden to the Bestway family. We respect its 225-year heritage, luxury proposition and unique position in the London market. We are excited to own such an admired brand and to be working with a terrific team who we will support to grow the business and its reputation further.

“This acquisition aligns closely with our strategic growth aspirations and reflects our continued confidence in the future of pharmacy.”

Following a short process, Bestway Healthcare recently completed the acquisition of John Bell & Croyden from Hallo Healthcare. It will operate as a standalone unit within the retail pharmacy operation - the business will not be integrated into Well.

John Bell & Croyden will continue to be led by operations director Robin Winfield, who will report to Andrew Caplan.

John Bell & Croyden can trace its history to 1798 when John Bell opened the original pharmacy on Oxford Street, London. John Bell and his son Jacob were pioneering pharmacists and played key roles in the founding of the Pharmaceutical Society in 1841 (later to become The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain).

The pharmacy was granted its first Royal warrant in 1909, and held a Royal Warrant  as pharmacists to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from 1958 until 2022.

John Bell & Croyden was acquired by Savory Moore in 1928. Ownership changed a number of times before it eventually became part of LloydsPharmacy.

Celesio AG purchased AAH, the UK’s leading pharmaceutical wholesaler, in 1995, and acquired Lloyds Chemists PLC two years later. The companies then fell under the McKesson umbrella from 2014 until 2022, before transferring to the Hallo Healthcare Group.