Well CEO Seb Hobbs announced via LinkedIn that the company has acquired the London business from Lloydspharmacy holding company Hallo Healthcare.
John Bell & Croyden held a Royal Warrant, serving as the official pharmacy of the late Queen Elizabeth.
Read more: Inside the Queen’s pharmacy: From flu jabs to the coronation anointing oil
Bestway acquired the Marylebone business for an undisclosed sum following a short process, Well told C+D.
John Bell & Croyden will not be integrated into Well but will operate as a standalone within Bestway’s retail pharmacy operation, a spokesperson confirmed.
“Delighted”
Andrew Caplan, chief retail officer at Bestway, told C+D this week (August 9) that the company is “delighted to welcome John Bell & Croyden to the Bestway family”, along with its 85-strong team.
“We respect its 225-year heritage, luxury proposition and unique position in the London market,” he said.
He added that the company is “excited to own such an admired brand and to be working with a terrific team who we will support to grow the business and its reputation further”.
Read more: UPDATED: Well Pharmacy snaps up 11 Lloydspharmacy branches in Scotland
The “iconic” business has a “rich heritage in pharmacy” and has been a “landmark” in central London for more than two centuries, Mr Caplan said.
“This acquisition aligns closely with our strategic growth aspirations and reflects our continued confidence in the future of pharmacy,” he added.
A Well spokesperson told C+D that the pharmacy will continue to be led by operations director Robin Winfield who will report into Mr Caplan.
Historic pharmacy
“Pioneering” pharmacist John Bell opened the original pharmacy on Oxford Street in 1798, according to its website.
His son Jacob Bell founded the Pharmaceutical Society in 1841 – now known as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) – it said.
Read more: From the archive - The Queen’s Pharmacy
In 1928, the business was acquired by pharmacy company Savory & Moore and was passed between various owners before becoming part of Hallo Healthcare.
John Bell & Croyden held the Royal Warrant as pharmacists to the late Queen Elizabeth II from 1958 until her death in 2022, according to its website.
It remains unclear which pharmacy now holds the Royal Warrant.
