Lloyds Pharmacy in Sainsbury's is Set To Close |
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Chain shutting store along with 236 others across the UK
January 29, 2023 The branch of Lloyds Pharmacy in the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Chiswick is to be closed. The company has announced that it is shutting all of its in-store branches in a broader package of reduction in its network that will see 237 outlets ceasing to operate across the country over the next few months. Lloyds Pharmacy acquired the sites eight years ago but was taken over in a leveraged buyout last year and says that it has decided on the move due to “changing market conditions". The retail industry press is suggesting 2,000 jobs could be affected. Sainsbury’s has not yet confirmed whether it intends to replace the pharmacies with in-house provision or an alternative provider but says it is considering a range of options. The site did operate as a pharmacy before Lloyds took over its operation and the site continuing to operate as a pharmacy has not been definitely ruled out at this stage. A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, "Lloyds Pharmacy is withdrawing pharmacy services from our stores over the coming months. We will work with them to ensure customers are clear on how they can access an alternative pharmacy provision to meet their needs." Kevin Birch, chief executive officer of Lloyds Pharmacy, said, "This decision has not been an easy one and we understand that our patients and customers may have questions about how the change will affect them. "We would like to thank them for their continued support and assure them that we are committed to providing a smooth transition over the coming months. I am very grateful to all our colleagues for their dedication to our patients, customers and communities." Lloyds Pharmacy was founded in 1973 and has since grown to the largest chain of its kind in the UK with 1,350 branches and over 17,000 employees. It has been developing its digital services in recent years and provides free in-pharmacy diabetes tests in association with Diabetes UK. Other branches closing include Lower Richmond Road, West Ealing, Alperton, Cromwell Road, Ladbroke Grove and Nine Elms.
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