Three Essex pharmacies set for new beginnings

There’s high demand for pharmacies in Essex and the Northern Home Counties

In just three days, three well-established pharmacies were sold in Essex —Dips Chemist and Riverview Pharmacy in Grays, and Longfield Pharmacy in Maldon.

According to specialist business property adviser Christie and Co, Dips Chemist and Riverview Pharmacy were included in a wider portfolio sale following their entry into administration in 2023.

Both pharmacies, which collectively dispense an average of circa 14,000 items per month, have been acquired by Primary Health Solutions Ltd, an independent pharmacy operator led by Husain Master.

“These two pharmacies are the perfect addition to my existing portfolio,” said Master, who plans to increase the services offered as well as invest in the pharmacies to create a more clinical and welcoming environment.

Mark Page, director - Pharmacy at Christie and Co, highlighted that there’s an appetite for a full range of pharmacies in Essex and the Northern Home Counties, with many buyers looking to take on well-performing pharmacies or purchase a quieter pharmacy that can be improved.

In a separate transaction, the broker recently announced the sale of Longfield Pharmacy in Maldon.

Owned by Esom’s Ltd since 2017, the pharmacy was brought to market to facilitate the semi-retirement of its owner, Vijay Mistry.

The new owners are a group of friends—Tauqir Hassan, Muhammad Munir, Waseem Syed, and Shaheryar Alam—who own a small growing group, called Pharmazone Ltd, in Essex.

Situated within a busy health centre in Maldon, Longfield Pharmacy dispenses an average of 15,163 items per month, aided by a state-of-the-art dispensing robot.

“A glass panel allows patients to watch as their prescription is plucked off the shelf by the robot arm and dropped into a bag,” Page said.

“The new owners are experienced pharmacy operators in the area and will continue to build on the good work done by Vijay and the team already,” he added.