In News

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Problems appear to be mounting for Jhoots Pharmacy after it was kicked out of a building in Folkestone for allegedly breaching its tenancy agreement and closed a branch in Devon amid reports of staff resignations, prompting a local councillor to accuse it of “broken multiple promises”.

A notice from bailiffs Black Panther Solutions Enforcement (BPS Enforcement) which appeared on the closed shutters of a Jhoots branch in the same building as Sandgate Road Surgery in Folkestone on Monday said the locks had been changed and the keys returned to the landlord.

“The leaseholder or landlord has instructed us to take possession of the property under common law,” the bailiffs said. According to Kent Online, BPS Enforcement is helping the surgery, which remains open, remove stock from the pharmacy.

NHS Kent and Medway said the pharmacy had “temporarily closed due to unforeseen circumstances” and insisted it was “expected to reopen soon”.

Jhoots broke “multiple promises”, claims local councillor

Earlier this month, the Cornish and Devon Post reported that a branch of Jhoots in Holsworthy in Devon closed unexpectedly, leaving the town with just one other pharmacy. Its closure apparently followed the resignations of its locum pharmacist and pharmacist assistant in March.

The mayor of Holsworthy, councillor Nigel Kenneally, who was at the opening of the branch after Jhoots acquired it from LloydsPharmacy in November 2023, accused Jhoots of breaking “multiple promises they made to me when they opened”.

Kenneally insisted he would contact Devon integrated care board to “find out exactly what is going on.” Independent Community Pharmacist has also contacted Devon ICB.

The incidents are the latest in a series of difficulties for Jhoots. In April last year, a branch of Jhoots in Rainham Shopping Centre closed and a bailiff notice appeared in the window of the pharmacy notifying patients it had been repossessed by the landlord. In February this year, locum pharmacists claimed they were waiting for long overdue payments from Jhoots.

In its group strategic report for the year ended December 31, 2023, submitted to Companies House in January this year, Jhoots said it “incurred a loss, mainly due to the acquisition of new businesses” but claimed it had “returned to profitability, reflecting successful integration and improved operational performance”.

In November 2023, HSBC provided Jhoots with £17.4 million in funding to purchase 36 LloydsPharmacy branches.

According to Companies House, Jhoots' last set of full accounts were submitted in March 2023 for the year ending December 31, 2022.

Independent Community Pharmacist has contacted Jhoots for comment.