North Devon’s former Jhoots pharmacies should be open again ‘within days’

Former branches of the troubled Jhoots Pharmacies chain in North Devon are set to reopen ‘within days’ under their new owner, it has been announced.

After a long spell of prescription shortages, unexpected closures and staff not being paid for months, it was revealed on Friday, November 7 that national chain Allied Pharmacies had bought out 60 Jhoots branches, including those in North Devon and Torridge.

Some branches had temporarily closed during the transition period, but North Devon MP Ian Roome revealed on Tuesday (November 13) he had met with the managing director of Allied Pharmacies that morning, who assured him they expected the branches to begin trading ‘in a matter of days’.

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Locally, Allied is taking over the former Jhoots branches in Ilfracombe, Braunton, Holsworthy, Combe Martin, Bideford and Barnstaple.

The Gazette revealed in September that Jhoots staff had not been paid since July, with stores devoid of stock after supplier accounts were suspended, leading to frustration and worry for patients unable to receive vital prescriptions.

Staff told us anonymously, for fear of losing their jobs, that they’d had to sit all day in empty stores with bear shelves, with Jhoots head office threatening them with the sack if they didn’t show up.

Despite repeated attempts, the Gazette received no response from Jhoots on these issues.

Now there is hope stretched local pharmacy services can return to normal and Allied Pharmacies has already pledged to address the outstanding pay owed to staff ‘within five working days’ according to Mr Roome.

Mr Roome said: “Allied Pharmacies stepping in to take over the former Jhoots branches in Barnstaple, Braunton, Ilfracombe and Combe Martin is really welcome news for North Devon.

“Allied have also assured me that they are preparing to resolve the back-pay of Jhoots pharmacy staff who have not been paid, which is absolutely vital.

“There’s still huge pressure on our high street pharmacies across the country, but this is a good step towards getting our local services back on a stable footing, and I’m very grateful to Allied for acting so quickly.”

The Jhoots Pharmacy next to Caen Medical Centre in Braunton is among those that has been a source of frustration for patients and staff, with many people complaining on social media at the lack of prescription supplies available.

READ NEXT: North Devon pharmacies chaos as staff ‘haven’t been paid for weeks’

Braunton County Councillor Graham Bell said the takeover by Allied was fantastic news for North Devon residents.

He added: “I recently sat for an hour in one Barnstaple pharmacy and every conversation was worry over the ongoing closures of pharmacies across the region.

“The pharmacy technicians and pharmacists have been doing a fantastic job to keep services functioning. They deserve our sincere thanks.

Above: Braunton councillor Graham Bell speaking to a constituent outside the then Jhoots pharmacy next to Caen Medical Centre. Credit: Graham Bell

“This could have been an unprecedented crisis. North Devon was carrying the greatest number of Jhoots sites in the entire region. The closure of Braunton’s store was already placing strain on larger stores.

“The closure of so many pharmacies would be unthinkable, especially as we enter the winter season.

“Thankfully, we had councillors and experts from across Devon who recognised the problem and were doing all they could to prevent a pharmaceutical crisis in Devon. We were very fortunate that Allied stepped in and I hope they will prove to be a valuable ally.

“With this crisis averted, it is vital that councillors and MPs do not sit back until the next crisis occurs. Pharmacy models are changing but they are fundamentally stuck in the 1990s.

“We need to ensure that authorities and MPs are aware of the risks associated with the loss of a pharmacy network (or even a single pharmacy) and are preparing to be better prepared in the future.”