W G Hamilton Pharmacy in Ballysillan, North Belfast, has been sold to first-time buyers, Andrew Crawford and Daniel Cheah.

W G Hamilton is a busy community pharmacy that dispenses an average of 8,750 prescription items a month and collects scripts from over 20 surgeries in the Belfast area.

It is also active in carrying out additional services such as the minor ailments service and Pharmacy First service.

The pharmacy has been owned and run by Fergus Hamilton for over 20 years.

But he decided to sell to pursue a partial retirement.

Following a confidential sales process with Karl Clezy at Christie & Co, it has been sold to Crawford and Cheah.

Clezy said: “This is the second pharmacy we have sold in the Ballysillan area over the last few years.

“There have been lots of enquiries on this business since we put it to market and I am delighted to have sold it to another first-time buyer who I’m sure will take it to further success.

“The last three pharmacies we have sold in Northern Ireland have been to first-time buyers, which is largely due to a lack of government funding causing a lot of existing contractors and groups off buying any more pharmacies.

“This is providing more opportunities for younger buyers to get their first step on the ladder.

“Whereas before first-time buyers found it difficult to buy their first pharmacy as they were competing with experienced operators who could afford to offer a higher amount.”

W G Hamilton Pharmacy was sold for an undisclosed price.