AN ESTATE agent has announced the sale of two Maryport chemist shops.

Manchester based Christie & Co says that Alneburgh Pharmacy, at the health centre on Ewanrigg Road, and H S Dobie Chemist, Curzen Street, have been sold to Healthcare Medical Ltd, which is situated in Rochdale.

The two shops were sold at an "undisclosed price" to the firm which already operates as a "dispensing chemist".

Speaking on behalf of the company, Mr Muhammad Muther said: “I had been in the market for a growth orientated opportunity.

"As a company, we were trying to grow with the help of Christie & Co.

"Our aim was to buy a number of pharmacies that would work with our business strategy.

“These two pharmacies offer growth and brand repositioning in a patient focussed arena.

"Our ultimate vision is to create a solid foundation for growth and to keep adding pharmacies to the group so that our ethics and service is recognised throughout our pharmacy footprint."

Karl Clezy is the director at Christie & Co who handled the sale of the properties.

He said: “Both pharmacies complement each other well, serving a high proportion of the town’s population with only one other pharmacy in Maryport.

"Although trading successfully, there is potential for the new owners to expand both pharmacies by offering more additional services that will benefit the community.”

Alneburgh Pharmacy was previously for sale in  2000 and H S Dobie went on the market in 2004.