Co-op’s drive-through pharmacies

THE UK&#039s first ever drive-through pharmacies have been acquired by Co-operative Group Pharmacy.
The two outlets, in the West Midlands, have been bought for an undisclosed sum from Duran Drive-Thru.
They will be the only drive-through pharmacies operated by Co-operative Group Pharmacy, although others may follow if they are successful.
Duran Drive-Thru&#039s owners, husband and wife Gurd and Nirmla Chahal, will retain the rights to the drive-through format they developed.
Their pharmacy in Burntwood Road, Norton Canes, was the UK&#039s first drive-through pharmacy when it opened in 1995. A second branch, in Carters Green, West Bromwich, opened in 2000.
Both outlets will be rebranded to become Co-op Pharmacy branches, and all eight staff will transfer to the Co-operative Group.
Mark Finn, Co-operative Group Pharmacy&#039s head of operations, said:"We are very pleased to have acquired these pharmacies, which as drive-throughs bring a new dimension to our portfolio."
"We are looking forward to building on the services they already offer their local communities, and regard these as an important part of our ambitious programme for development and expansion. If the format is a success we may develop more drive-through Co-op Pharmacies."
Gurd Chahal, who developed the drive-though format and is now selling the branches, said: "I&#039m delighted to have reached agreement with Co-operative Group Pharmacy, and I know these branches will continue to be in safe hands.
"We have developed a consultation package for our brand of drive-through pharmacies and we&#039re looking forward to developing the format that has been so successful at Norton Canes at West Bromwich."
This announcement comes just days after Co-operative Group Pharmacy announced the acquisitions of four pharmacies in the North East and two in South Wales.