County Armagh chemists has right medicine for success following UK expansion

by
Staff Reporter
December 3, 2014

A county Armagh business is celebrating success following further expansion into the UK market having bought two new stores in Liverpool and adding a further pharmacy in Belfast.

With support from First Trust Bank, McKeevers Chemists – owned and managed by Paul McKeever from Armagh – bought his first GB store last September in Greasby, Liverpool, as part of plans to expand his business into the UK.

This addition of two new stores in Wallasey, Liverpool and one on Springfield Road, Belfast now brings the group to a total of 15 pharmacies employing 180 staff, including 32 pharmacists.

The firm’s strong growth has also led to the opening of a new warehouse in Armagh to facilitate order demand and distribution across its network of pharmacies.

In total, these recent expansions have brought 49 new employees to the McKeevers group and created 12 brand new jobs including positions in warehouse and delivery, sales, marketing and management.

Recognising the need for accessible and professional care, McKeevers Chemists puts its success down to supporting local communities with health monitoring services, prescription collection and delivery, as well as offering the ‘best prices in town’ through price comparison checks.

Speaking about the company’s growth, Paul McKeever, Managing Director, McKeever Chemists said: “We strive to be at the heart of health care in the local communities we serve and with the help of First Trust Bank I am delighted to be able to extend our services to more communities throughout the UK. The Bank has supported me from when I acquired my first pharmacy in 2001 and they have been with me every step of the way – offering industry insight and the necessary flexibility – in an ever changing business environment. I believe it is important to have a strong relationship with your bank, and with First Trust I certainly feel we have the right ‘chemistry.’ ”

Welcoming this news of further expansion, Meabh Officer, Relationship Manager, First Trust Bank said: “The Bank has worked with Paul and his team for almost 15 years, and we are continually impressed with their commitment to local communities in the provision of local healthcare.

“Not only is this latest expansion a great business success story for the company, it is also a success story for the local communities in which they serve. Initiatives such as prescription collection and delivery, price comparison, blood pressure monitoring and diabetes screening in local clubs and schools as well as various local sports sponsorships, makes McKeevers vision of being at the heart of healthcare in the community a reality.

“Their commitment to their staff and the local areas in which they operate is to be congratulated and we look forward to supporting them further in the future.”

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