The Co-op has sold nine of its ten pharmacies to Moss Chemists.

The sale, for an undisclosed sum, will take effect on March 1 and involve 49 full and part-time staff.

Announcing the deal today, Colchester and East Essex Co-op chief executive Chris Blanchett said: "We must constantly review our many trading divisions.

"We wanted to continue to provide pharmaceutical services to our customers, but, equally, needed to recognise the commercial pressures in running a small chain of chemist shops.

"The arrangement with Moss Chemists is ideal. Our customers and staff will be protected, and the Co-op can invest in developing its core activities."

The nine pharmacies are at: Peartree Road, Stanway; The Centre, Greenstead, and Long Wyre Street, Colchester; Old Road, Clacton; Old Foundry Lane, Burnham; Main Road, Dovercourt; High Street, Earls Colne; Connaught Avenue, Frinton, and Station Road, Manningtree.

Public relations officer Lorraine Collins said the future of Maldon's High Street branch was under review.

"But for the short term, we will continue to trade the Maldon pharmacy under the Co-op banner," she added.

Moss Chemists employs more than 5,000 people and has 647 outlets, 21 in Essex.

Development director Malcolm Bayly said the Co-op acquisition was part of an ongoing programme to increase Moss's market share by an average 60 stores per year.

"They are not a threat to our other branches in the area," he said. "They are there to complement each other, to strengthen our presence in the region and improve our overall standard of service."

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