First-time buyer snaps up popular Blackpool pharmacy business

Bispham Pharmacy is a standard hours community pharmacy that dispenses an average of around 4,500 items per month. It is located opposite a bustling shopping area in the commercial centre of Bispham, a densely populated suburb of Blackpool, where it has been since February 2021 following a minor contract re-location.

The pharmacy was previously owned by regional group operator, O’Briens Pharmacy, and was brought to market as part of a strategic review of the group’s portfolio of nine sites (now eight) in and around the Fylde coast.

Following a confidential sales process with Jon Booth at Christie & Co, and with funding sourced through Craig Dickson at Christie Finance, it has been purchased by first-time buyer, Arif Bhuriya, who plans to continue growing the item numbers which have been steadily increasing since the closure of a Lloyds pharmacy in the local Sainsburys last year as well as focussing on high levels of customer service and service delivery.

Aisling O’Brien, Owner at O’Briens Pharmacy, comments, “When we had a strategic review of our group, we saw Bispham as an ideal site to dispose of, knowing it would fare much better in the current climate as an owner-operated site. Naturally, we called Christie & Co and, whilst there was a good deal of interest in the site, it was pleasing to do the deal with Arif whom I am familiar with as a fellow LPC member. We wish him all the very best with the business in the future.”

Arif Bhuriya, new owner of Bispham Pharmacy, comments, “I am so pleased to have finally acquired my first pharmacy business after searching for a couple of years. Bispham was an area which I am familiar with so when I saw the opportunity hit the market, I knew that it was a site that I could take to the next level. The hard work starts now but I’d like to thank Aisling O’Brien for all her help in working towards a successful sale and I am excited to start work on my plans for the business and the people of Bispham.”

Jon Booth, Director – Pharmacy at Christie & Co, comments, “Whilst this deal was not without the usual challenges around funding and property matters, it is very much the type of deal we have seen in volume across the Northwest this year. Someone like Arif can see the improvements and changes that they can make as an owner-operator by immersing themselves in the day-to-day running of a formerly managed site like this and delivering first class service direct to the patients in the area. We wish him the greatest of success with his new acquisition.”

Craig Dickson, Director at Christie Finance, comments, “Arif had been looking to acquire his first pharmacy for some time and, after a few false starts, he identified Bispham as an ideal opportunity moving forward. I met with him, explained the funding process, then put together a pack of supporting information for our lender contacts and quickly secured excellent terms. Arif will be very much hands-on being the owner pharmacist and I’m sure the business will go from strength to strength”.

Bispham Pharmacy was sold for an undisclosed price.

For further information on this press release, contact:
Phoebe Burrows, Associate Director – Corporate Communications
P: 07540 063 598 or E: phoebe.burrows@christie.com

Contact the agent:
Jon Booth, Director – Pharmacy
P: 0770 360 7122 or E: jon.booth@christie.com

Contact Christie Finance:
Craig Dickson, Director
T: 07713 061 621 or E: craig.dickson@christiefinance.com

Visit Christie & Co’s Business Search page to find out more about current medical listings.