The acquisition of three pharmacies in Bournemouth has given the expanding Avicenna group a major high street presence.

The three pharmacies — locasted at West Howe, Bearwood and Talbot — were sold by specialist property adviser Christie + Co on behalf of the pharmacies’ directors Peter Burnett and Steve Iball.

Avicenna is the UK’s largest independently owned pharmacy support group.

MD Salim Jetha, said: “We’re delighted to be able to acquire such a strong, localised group in a sale that was beneficial and amicable to both parties.

“The acquisition is part of our ongoing strategy to expand our high street presence.”

Andrew Walker, who brokered the deal on behalf of Christie + Co, added: “We’re pleased to have brought such a signif-icant business to the market and, working on behalf of Peter and Steve, to find such a comm-itted buyer.”

Christie + Co is the UK’s largest specialist firm of phar-macy agents, valuers and surveyors.