Lloyds Pharmacy to close 237 branches as industry faces ‘more extreme pressure than ever’
The UK’s second largest pharmacy chain is closing 237 branches.
Lloyds Pharmacy will close all of its outlets in Sainsbury’s supermarkets by the end of the year, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
Boss Kevin Birch blamed “changing market conditions” and promised a “smooth transition”.
Job threat: Lloyds Pharmacy closes 237 branches, including all of its Sainsbury’s supermarket outlets by the end of the year
But the pharmaceutical services bargaining committee said the news was ‘extremely worrying’ as community pharmacies have seen their funding cut by almost a third in seven years, leaving them ‘struggling to make ends meet’ .
Boss Janet Morrison said: “The network is the answer to so many health service problems, but many are struggling.
“The sharp decline in their funding, combined with labor and other pressures, is making it increasingly difficult to maintain services and impossible to do more.” She called on the government to invest in the sector.
The closures come as Lloyds sells its sites in Scotland and Wales and some in England. As of March 2021, it had 1,351 branches.
