Major UK excessive avenue chain saves 60 branches from closure in new takeover plans
A UK high street chain has been saved from collapse after another company agreed to take it over and address issues within – with 60 stores set to re-open soon
A huge high street chain has revealed they are no longer closing 60 branches, despite going bust. The company is experiencing a new take over, which will see bosses re-open shops.
Allied Pharmacies revealed on Friday that it had taken over the management of 60 branches of struggling firm, Jhoots Pharmacies. Allied Pharmacies will now have around 210 branches across England and Wales, according to C+D, as the successful company keeps looking forward for more growth. In a statement, the chain confirmed the takeover
The statement added that the company was “fully committed to reinstating essential pharmacy services”, adding that the “immediate priority” was to reopen closed branches as soon as possible.
Previously, the Jhoots pharmacies closed after months of unexpected low staff and insufficient stock. It reportedly shut after months of turmoil and bailiff notices, said KentOnline.
It meant over 40,000 people were left without access to services, according to the report. Jhoots pharmacies has around 150 locations scattered across the UK, with 60 now taken over.
Allied Pharmacies takeover statement read: “We recognise the fundamental role that community pharmacies play in supporting public health and wellbeing and understand the disruption caused by these closures, particularly for vulnerable groups who depend on local access to vital healthcare services.”
The company addressed “systemic underfunding for almost a decade” that pharmacy service suggested placed huge strain on staff.
They called for intervention “at a national level” to avoid further damage.
Allied added that they are now looking into salary arrears and aim to get them sorted as soon as possible.
This comes after Morrisons also announced they were closing the doors of some pharmacies.
Despite ranking among Britain’s top retail chains, Morrisons is set to shut down 103 locations, encompassing shops, cafés, florists, and chemists. The widespread closures are part of a strategy to enhance the shopping experience in areas where customers “really value” the service.
In March, chief executive Rami Baitieh said: “Morrisons Cafes are rightly famous for their great quality, well-priced food, their place in the local community and their appealing mix of traditional favourites alongside exciting new dishes. In most locations, the Morrisons Cafe has a bright future, but a minority have specific local challenges, and in those locations, regrettably, closure and re-allocation of the space is the only sensible option.”
The retailer plans to axe over 50 cafés, 13 florists, four pharmacies, and all 18 Market Kitchens in the months ahead.
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