Pharmacy chain, Lloyds, is to sell a 'significant number' of its standalone stores.

The sale follows concerns over government funding for the industry, with several branches already sold, as reported by Retail Gazette.

Lloyds Pharmacy has standalone branches across Gloucestershire. It is not clear whether any of them will be affected by the proposed sale.

Hutchings Consultants, which specialises in pharmacy sales, has reportedly informed prospective buyers of a "divestment campaign by a multiple operator to include a significant number of new branches" across England, Scotland and Wales.

A spokesman for the business said it regularly reviews its pharmacy estate to ensure it is operating sustainably and any decision to sell stores is taken in the interests of patients, colleagues and the business.

Lloyds recently revealed it would close all of its 237 outlets inside Sainsbury's, including those in Cheltenham and Gloucester, during 2023, due to what it described as "changing market conditions".