Key facts: Guildford
- NHS pharmacies in Surrey Heartlands (2024/25)
- 170
- Opened / closed in the year
- 8 / 10
- Run by independents
- 52.4% (England 49.9%)
- Items dispensed per pharmacy
- 80,757 (England 104,192)
- NMS consultations per pharmacy
- 465 (England 508)
- NHS commissioner
- NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB
Source: NHS Business Services Authority, General Pharmaceutical Services 2024/25, Surrey Heartlands figures. 37 ICBs outside London are ranked.
Community pharmacy in Surrey Heartlands
Who owns the pharmacies matters to anyone buying one. In Surrey Heartlands in 2024/25, 89 of 170 NHS community pharmacies (52.4%) belonged to independents with five or fewer branches and 81 to multiples. England's independent share is 49.9%; Surrey Heartlands ranks 8th of 37.
The balance between independents and multiples is close to the national picture.
Pharmacy openings and closures, Surrey Heartlands
8 pharmacies opened and 10 closed during 2024/25, a net loss of 2. Closures were 5.9% of the Surrey Heartlands total (England 6.4%), 21st highest of 37.
When a pharmacy closes, its prescriptions move to those that remain. That can lift volumes at a well-placed pharmacy, but lenders want to see the uplift in dispensing figures, not only in a forecast.
Next door, Reading (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West) saw 12 openings and 15 closures among 262 pharmacies, Slough (Frimley) saw 3 openings and 6 closures among 135 pharmacies and Brighton (Sussex) saw 7 openings and 11 closures among 299 pharmacies.
Dispensing volumes and NHS services
Across the year, 13,728,724 NHS items were dispensed here: 80,757 for the average pharmacy, where England's average is 104,192; only 36 of 37 ICBs were busier. Electronic prescriptions made up 97.2%. Lower average volumes mean each pharmacy's own figures, and its services, carry more weight with a lender than the area average.
Hypertension case-finding ran in 145 Surrey Heartlands pharmacies (85.3%, England 86.4%); the area also delivered 78,980 New Medicine Service consultations and 82,294 NHS flu vaccinations in 2024/25. A strong services record gives a lender more than one income stream to rely on.
Financing a Guildford pharmacy purchase
Buying in Guildford? Expect the lender to ask for three years of dispensing and services figures, the lease, and how much you are putting in. Fund stock and the gap before NHS payments with working capital, and read buying a pharmacy first. The practice purchase loan calculator shows repayments against profit.
Premises, regulation and security
A pharmacy freehold bought in England is subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax on non-residential rates. Any premises loan is secured by a legal charge registered with HM Land Registry. For leased premises, expect a lender to ask for the lease and to match the loan term to it.
The incoming owner applies for the NHS change of ownership and registers the premises with the General Pharmaceutical Council; lenders expect both in hand before completion.
Lenders for Guildford pharmacies
There is no Guildford lender panel. Lenders that understand pharmacies work across the country, so we search the whole market for each case. Fees depend on the lender and nothing is charged upfront.
Common questions
Are Guildford pharmacies opening or closing?
In 2024/25, 8 opened and 10 closed across Surrey Heartlands, leaving 170 on NHS Business Services Authority figures.
How busy are pharmacies in Surrey Heartlands?
They averaged 80,757 items each in 2024/25, against 104,192 across England.
Do you lend to Guildford pharmacists?
No, we are a broker. We search the whole market for lenders that fund pharmacies and put your case to them. Fees depend on the lender, with nothing to pay upfront.
