Lloyds Pharmacy lays off workers at its HQ in Coventry

COVENTRY-based retailer Lloyds Pharmacy is running a redundancy programme at its head office.

It is understood some 31 jobs have been cut with those affected likely to leave the company in the coming weeks.

A manager at the firm’s head office who contacted TheBusinessDesk.com – but wished to stay anonymous – said there are fears amongst the workforce that as many as 200 staff could be made redundant.

The need for cuts has been blamed on a number of factors including contract underfunding – including a reduction in government funding for community pharmacies – and a merging of back office functions between Lloyds and sister company AAH Pharmaceuticals.

The Lloyds ‘whistle-blower’ told TheBusinessDesk.com: “From a personal point of view this feels more like an AAH takeover.”

Both Lloyds Pharmacy and AAH – a wholesale distributor of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products – are owned by Celesio, a German healthcare and pharmaceuticals company. They share a headquarters at Sapphire Court, Walsgrave Triangle, Coventry.

TheBusinessDesk.com contacted Lloyds Pharmacy for a comment but didn’t receive a response.

Lloyds Pharmacy is the largest community chemist operator in the UK, with its pharmacies located primarily within local communities and health centres.

It originated as Lloyds Chemist in 1973 when Allen Lloyd purchased his first pharmacy in Polesworth, Warwickshire.