WILLAND Pharmacy, which went into administration last April, has been sold to independent pharmacist Adis Kikic.

The original business foundered when supermarket giant Tesco opened a similar operation in nearby Cullompton.

Trade plummeted and the business was nearly forced into a compulsory liquidation until national corporate rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor secured agreement from creditors for an administration.

Ian Walker, of the Exeter office of Begbies Traynor, has been running the business since May, when the search started for a prospective purchaser.

After a great deal of interest, a buyer was found in August, and the deal came together in December when Mr Kikic’s offer was accepted.

The pharmacy is now trading successfully and Mr Kikic says that business has been better than expected.

“We have taken the business back to core pharmacy-focused products and services, which we intend to build on.

“In addition to our free prescription order, collection and delivery service, we have partially converted a proportion of our retail space into a consultation room from which we intend to provide future services.

“We’ve already launched a Stop Smoking service, provide medicine use reviews, and a new medicine service, and will be offering flu vaccinations from September.

“In the very near future we will be launching diabetes, cholesterol and blood-pressure screening as well as a weight management service.

“At the moment, we will be offering these as private services, but we will be in close touch with our local NHS health centres over possible future developments.

“The business is going well, and we’re really pleased with the level of support and acceptance we’re getting from our local community,” Mr Kikic added.

“We expected a dip in prescription volume when we started, but it simply hasn’t happened due to the much appreciated local support.”

Ian Walker siad: “The sale means we can realise a dividend for creditors, while securing the continuation of an important service business for the Willand community.

“We wish Mr Kikic the best of luck with his exciting plans for the future.”

Begbies Traynor is the UK’s largest and fastest-growing independent practice of corporate rescue and recovery specialists.

It provides services via a nationwide office network, with clients ranging from small businesses and SMEs to family-run companies and major multinationals.