Ethical lender helps village chemists in Borders and Falkirk to change hands

Two village pharmacies north of the Border have new owners thanks to a funding package provided by ethically focused lender Unity Trust Bank.

Scott Hutchinson, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank. Picture: contributed,

Following the retirement of the previous owner of Eildon Pharmacy in Newtown St Boswells in the Borders and Airth Pharmacy in Falkirk, two former colleagues have taken over the respective businesses.

John McDougall, a community pharmacist for 20 years, is the new owner of Eildon Pharmacy, having worked there since 2013, and John Porter, a community pharmacist since 1988, has taken over Airth Pharmacy, where he has been based for 12 years.

The bank noted that retail pharmacies are engaged more than ever in providing healthcare services locally, and the two sites are the only chemists in their respective villages.

McDougall stated: “We are delighted with the support we have received from Unity Trust Bank. They are a good fit for a community pharmacy likes ours due to their mission to create a better society and their commitment to positively contribute to the community.”

Porter said: “We operate in a commercially successful way, but with a social conscience, and Unity Trust Bank’s ethical lending policy was most closely aligned with the way we run our pharmacy. Their support has been invaluable.”

Scott Hutchinson, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, commented: “We align our operations with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which include good health and wellbeing.

“Our support and funding of the pharmacy sector will have a positive impact on society through the maintenance of community health facilities. Pharmacies are often seen as a first port of call for health delivery, taking pressure off GP services.”

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