Huge pharmacy chain to close several branches in weeks – check if your local is on the list
A MAJOR pharmacy chain is set to close a number of branches within weeks.
Lloyds Pharmacy is expected to pull down the shutters on four chemists in Suffolk and Bristol this month.
The Sun understands the retailer will close its branch at Sainsbury's in Winterstoke Road, Bristol, and Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, on April 18.
The Sainsbury's in Fox Den Road, Bristol, is also set to close on April 19, .
Plus, the chemist at the Sainsbury's in Haycocks Road, Haverhill, will close on April 23, reports the .
A Lloyds Pharmacy spokesperson did not confirm the exact dates the four branches will be closing.
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They added: “LloydsPharmacy is reviewing its community pharmacy estate and is selectively selling some branches.
"No LloydsPharmacy store is at risk of closure, except those within the Sainsbury’s estate.
“The majority of buyers of these selected branches are independent pharmacy owners and local businesspeople who have demonstrated that they are committed to our branch teams and patients, and are well placed to meet the ongoing health needs of the local community.
“The LloydsPharmacy team is pleased that its colleagues from these stores will be joining successful, local businesses and that for patients there will be no change in the way they use their local pharmacy."
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Lloyds has already announced the closure of 237 of its pharmacies in Sainsbury’s supermarkets by the end of the year and closed 76 stores in 2022.
Pharmacies across the UK have struggled for years due to cuts in government funding and the soaring cost of medicine.
Chemists are also being asked to pick up extra slack from the NHS by providing more services, such as vaccinations.
The pharmacy industry has lost £1.6billion in the last 10 years as the health service's pharmacy contract struggles to keep pace with inflation.
As a result, pharmacies are facing big cuts to their real-term funding, which is leading to the closures.
What other retailers are closing stores?
Retailers have been shutting shops as they battle the knock-on effects of high inflation.
Not only that, but the coronavirus pandemic has seen lots more consumers move towards online shopping and away from the high street.
M&Co started closing stores in March after the company fell into administration for the second time.
B&M has also been closing stores this year, but in good news, it's also been opening branches as well.
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Marks and Spencer is also set to close a number of branches this spring, while some have already pulled down their shutters.
Stationery giant Paperchase started closing down stores in March too.
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