A West Midlands pharmacy chain, Jhoots Chemist, could face insolvency after Lloyds Bank filed a high court application to appoint an administrator on December 29. The chain, based in Walsall and run by businessman Sarbjit Singh Jhooty, is accused of owing locum pharmacists £670,000 in unpaid fees.
The high court move follows a parliamentary debate in October where MPs criticised Jhoots for issues including failing to open branches, poor management of controlled drugs, and not paying staff, landlords, and suppliers. Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock stated during the session that Jhoots’ services were “falling well below the mark.”
The application also comes after a series of unsatisfied county court judgments against the business. In November, Allied Pharmacies took over the operations of 60 Jhoots stores. Financial documents filed to Companies House for the year ending December 2024 showed creditors of over £5 million, a loss of nearly £1.9 million, and bank debts of £1.7 million. Lloyds holds 16 unsatisfied charges against the company.
Despite these issues, accounts signed off in March stated that directors had not identified material uncertainties about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Jhoots-branded chemists are owned either by Sarbjit Jhooty or his brother Manjit Jhooty. Manjit, who owns over 20 stores via Pasab and Jhoots Healthcare, said his branches are separate and fully functional. He rebranded his business as JHL Pharmacy last month, and the Lloyds application does not affect his group. Sarbjit Jhooty did not respond to requests for comment.
