A MOSSLEY chemist that found itself at the centre of a repossession has reopened after a court injunction was secured.
And the current occupants hope to negotiate a lease of their own after being caught up in someone else’s drama.
McKeevers, on Stamford Street, found itself closed with members of staff standing outside after bailiffs gained entry and changed the locks.
Patients at nearby GP surgeries were unable to obtain their prescriptions amid the uncertainty.
But the doors were back open on Tuesday, February 6 after bosses of the firm were ‘shocked’ by the development.
The Correspondent has been told they thought they were meeting the rent demands, but the landlords took action themselves.
Managing director Paul McKeever said: “We bought our pharmacy in April 2021 from Lloyds pharmacy, leasing the property from Lloyds.
“Lloyds pharmacy entered liquidation last month and it appears they had not paid rent to the property owner resulting in them instructing bailiffs.
“This was out of our control.”
Staff were left standing in shock outside the building, which lies next to George Lawton Hall, after the notices were unexpectedly placed on it.
While McKeevers was closed temporarily, staff at Chadwick and Hadfield in Bottom Mossley, which the parent company owns, helped with prescriptions.
And Mr McKeever detailed what has been done and what happens next.
He added: “We obtained an injunction from the County Court at Manchester, to allow us to re-enter our pharmacy and continue to trade.
“We hope to agree a new lease directly with the property owner in the coming weeks.
“I understand it has been a very worrying time for our patients and the residents of Mossley.
“We have done our very best to accommodate our patients in Chadwick and Hadfield in Bottom Mossley over the weekend.
“We are delighted to be open again and our pharmacist Glynn and his team will be working very hard to ensure everyone’s health needs are met.”