UK high street chain SAVES over 60 branches from closure after going bust 

A UK high street chain has saved over 60 branches from closure after going bust.

Under new takeover plans, bosses say they are committed to re-opening branches and addressing salary arrears.

Allied Pharmacies revealed on Friday that it had taken over the management of 60 branches of struggling firm, Jhoots Pharmacies.

It means Allied Pharmacies will now have around 210 branches across England and Wales, according to C+D.

In a statement, the national chain confirmed the takeover and said they were “fully committed to reinstating essential pharmacy services”.

They said that their “immediate priority” was to reopen closed branches as soon as possible.

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It comes after a number of branches have allegedly been unexpectedly closed for reasons including a lack of pharmacists or, when they did open, had low stock.

One of the stores Allied Pharmacies has taken over is the Rainham Shopping Centre branch in Kent, which has been closed since August.

It reportedly shut after months of turmoil and bailiff notices, said KentOnline.

It meant over 40,000 people were left without access to services.

Jhoots pharmacies has around 150 locations scattered across the UK.

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.”

It went on to address the broader challenge in the industry pointing toward “systemic underfunding for almost a decade” that has placed strain on operators.

They called for intervention “at a national level” to avoid the further collapse of providers, as was the case with Lloyds.

The chain also confirmed that it is “taking steps to address outstanding salary arrears of employed staff”.

It comes after The Sun reported in September how staff at Jhoots Pharmacies were reportedly owed hundreds of thousands in unpaid wages.

The union, Pharmacists Defence Association, claimed that locum staff had not been paid wages, amounting to a staggering £670,000.

Different to permanent employees, locum staff often work freelance and provide short-term cover.

But Allied Pharmacies said in its statement that it “appreciated” former employees of Jhoots who had been impacted during a “difficult period”.

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They said the move is in an effort to “support the workforce and rebuild trust”.

While it also encouraged locum staff who worked at any of the branches affected to contact Jhoots administrators.