Key summary
- If the pharmacies are at the right price point, they are attracting interest regardless of how rural or isolated their setting may be.
- The buyer pool is diverse with large multiples, small and mid-sized groups, established independents, and well-funded first-time buyers.
- Page points out that pharmacies with an annual turnover of over £1 million are attracting all types of buyers.
The pharmacy market across London and the South East currently offer a healthy mix of both independent and corporate opportunities, according to Mark Page, director (Pharmacy) at Christie & Co.
In a blog post, Page claimed that instructions coming to market span a variety of settings - from high-street community pharmacies to more rural village locations, and buyers can expect to see a balanced pipeline of single-site businesses alongside small group assets.
Page said the buyer demand across the region remains strong, and if the pharmacies are at the right price point, they are attracting interest regardless of how rural or isolated their setting may be.
As for the demand, he said it is intense for more built-up areas, as operators are drawn to stronger footfall, denser populations, and more predictable revenue streams.
The buyer pool is diverse with large multiples, small and mid-sized groups, established independents, and well-funded first-time buyers.
The appetite tends to focus on well-performing businesses in strong trading locations, but competitively priced pharmacies in quieter areas can still generate solid interest.
Page said one of the challenges in this region is the contrasting perception of rural versus urban opportunities.
"Many buyers gravitate towards busy towns and suburbs where they feel more confident about long-term viability and growth.
"As a result, smaller village pharmacies - with significant untapped potential - can often be overlooked despite offering attractive margins and strong community loyalty," he stated.
Page said that the demand in London continues to be location-specific.
"A useful way to visualise the pattern is to imagine the M25 as a clockface: between roughly 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock lies the so-called “Golden Triangle,” where buyer demand is at its strongest.
"Pharmacies marketed within this area and priced accurately can expect multiple bids and rapid engagement from a variety of operators," he stated.
Page pointed out that another notable trend is the emerging hotspot around price and turnover.
"Pharmacies generating just above £1 million in annual turnover are proving especially attractive. These businesses appeal across the full buyer spectrum - from large corporates and established groups to independents and well-funded entrants - often resulting in highly competitive bidding environments."
