A young pharmacist based in Glasgow has acquired her first pharmacy using a loan from a bank specialising in supporting businesses that provide a social benefit.

Clare Brogan, who joined the register in 2017 and is training to become an independent prescriber so she can deliver the Pharmacy First Plus service, acquired Frasers Pharmacy in Newton Means with the help of finance from Unity Trust Brank. 

Ms Brogan has renamed the business Broom Pharmacy and says she has created three new jobs and started a home delivery service from the pharmacy. She plans to grow the 12-strong team further, including recruiting a pre-registration pharmacist, and to develop the pharmacy’s service offering in 2023. 

She said: “I gained a huge amount of experience managing two shops for my previous employers at M&D Green and was excited to set up on my own.

“I had heard that Unity Trust Bank helped businesses that support local communities. After my initial meeting with relationship manager, Scott, I felt confident in his ability to guide me through my first pharmacy acquisition.  

“Scott’s communication and timely advice assisted in keeping all parties involved in the lead up to successfully finalising the deal on time. 

“I’m delighted to work with Unity as their values are very similar to mine; I’m also trying to help the local community and offer more services to those in need.”

Unity Trust Bank relationship manager Scott Hutchinson said: “Community pharmacies are vital assets to local high streets and are becoming more innovative in the services they offer.

“Unity has supported a number of first-time buyers, as well as established businesses, and it is great to see young, highly motivated pharmacists like Clare entering the market.”

Ms Brogan says of her parents, who run a wholesale fruit and veg company that has been family-owned since 1946: “I realise I am hugely fortunate to have received the support from my parents and I could not have achieved this without their knowledge and guidance.

“Whilst going into the family business was not for me, running a pharmacy is similar in many aspects - aiming to provide a quality service to meet the needs of the patients, dealing with the many daily challenges and issues, along with the general financial dynamics.”