Key facts: Leicester
- NHS pharmacies in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (2024/25)
- 232
- Opened / closed in the year
- 11 / 12
- Run by independents
- 64.7% (England 49.9%)
- Items dispensed per pharmacy
- 100,434 (England 104,192)
- NMS consultations per pharmacy
- 582 (England 508)
- NHS commissioner
- NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB
Source: NHS Business Services Authority, General Pharmaceutical Services 2024/25, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland figures. 37 ICBs outside London are ranked.
The pharmacy market around Leicester
Across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, which takes in Leicester, there were 232 NHS community pharmacies in 2024/25. Independents (five or fewer pharmacies) held 150 of them, 64.7%, and multiples 82; the England share of independents is 49.9%, and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ranks 1st of 37 on it.
An independent-heavy market sees more owner-to-owner sales, which is where most pharmacy acquisition finance is arranged.
Pharmacy openings and closures, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
The year brought 12 closures and 11 openings, leaving 1 fewer pharmacies. As a share of the network, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland lost 5.2% to closure, set against 6.4% nationally (rank 26 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.
Around Leicester, New Medicine Service activity per pharmacy was 523 in Nottingham (Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), 513 in Coventry (Coventry and Warwickshire) and 518 in Derby (Derby and Derbyshire), against 582 here.
Dispensing volumes and NHS services
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland pharmacies dispensed 23,300,600 items in 2024/25, 100,434 per pharmacy against 104,192 for England (22nd busiest of 37 ICBs). 98.1% of items went through the Electronic Prescription Service. With volumes near the England norm, the individual pharmacy's direction of travel matters more than the area figure.
On services, pharmacies here gave 86,703 NHS flu jabs (434 per participating pharmacy, England 437) and 135,101 New Medicine Service consultations, while 87.1% offered hypertension case-finding against 86.4% nationally. A strong services record gives a lender more than one income stream to rely on.
Financing a Leicester pharmacy purchase
A lender looking at a Leicester pharmacy will compare its items and services with the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland picture, then read the lease and your track record. Remember stock at completion and NHS payments in arrears: working capital often sits beside the acquisition loan. Our guide to buying a pharmacy covers the steps. 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. If the building is rented, lenders read the lease closely: a short unexpired term caps the loan term.
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 Leicester pharmacies
There is no Leicester 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 Leicester pharmacies opening or closing?
In 2024/25, 11 opened and 12 closed across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, leaving 232 on NHS Business Services Authority figures.
How busy are pharmacies in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland?
They averaged 100,434 items each in 2024/25, against 104,192 across England.
How independent is the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland pharmacy market?
64.7% of pharmacies belonged to contractors with five or fewer pharmacies in 2024/25, against 49.9% across England.
