In a pharmacy job market dominated by Boots (537 vacancies) and NHS Jobs (519), the mid-size chains often get overlooked. But Weldricks and Day Lewis together account for 52 active vacancies — and their contrasting geographies make them a natural comparison for pharmacy professionals choosing where to build a career.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Metric | Weldricks | Day Lewis |
|---|---|---|
| Active vacancies | 37 | 15 |
| Share of UK total (1,385) | 2.7% | 1.1% |
| Primary geography | Yorkshire & Humber | Southern England |
| Ownership | Family-owned | Family-owned |
| Estimated branches | ~60 | ~260 |
| Vacancies per branch | ~0.62 | ~0.06 |
The vacancy-per-branch ratio is revealing. Weldricks is recruiting at a rate of roughly 1 vacancy per 1.6 branches — suggesting either rapid expansion or significant turnover. Day Lewis, with ~260 branches but only 15 vacancies, appears to have far lower recruitment intensity at 1 vacancy per 17 branches.
Geographic Footprints
Weldricks operates almost exclusively in Yorkshire and the Humber, with particular concentration around Doncaster, Barnsley, and Sheffield. This makes it the dominant regional chain in South Yorkshire — a role similar to Cohens in the North East (69 vacancies).
Day Lewis operates across southern England, with branches from the South West through the Home Counties and into London. It's the largest independent pharmacy chain in the UK by branch count, though its recruitment volume doesn't reflect that scale.
Regional Salary Context
The two chains operate in very different salary environments:
| Region | Median Pharmacist Salary | Mean | Upper Quartile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire & Humber (Weldricks) | £42,570 | £42,106 | £52,030 |
| South East (Day Lewis core) | £42,631 | £42,302 | £51,260 |
| South West (Day Lewis reach) | £32,640 | £35,425 | £42,631 |
| London (Day Lewis reach) | £51,468 | £52,543 | £67,652 |
Yorkshire and the South East show remarkably similar median salaries (£42,570 vs £42,631). But Day Lewis branches in the South West face the lowest median in England (£32,640), while those in London compete in the highest-paying market (£51,468).
This geographic spread creates an internal pay disparity challenge for Day Lewis that Weldricks — concentrated in one region — doesn't face.
What This Means for Job Seekers
If you're considering Weldricks:
- You'll be in South Yorkshire — a region with a balanced GP-to-pharmacy ratio (Sheffield 0.76:1, Doncaster 0.69:1)
- The regional median salary is competitive at £42,570 — above the national median of £42,631 only marginally below
- The high vacancy rate (0.62 per branch) suggests strong demand and potentially more negotiating power
- Use PharmSee's job search to see current Weldricks listings
If you're considering Day Lewis:
- Your branch location matters enormously — London at £51,468 vs South West at £32,640 is a £18,828 difference
- The low vacancy rate (0.06 per branch) could signal either high retention or slow hiring
- With ~260 branches, Day Lewis offers geographic flexibility if you want to relocate within the chain
- Check current Day Lewis roles on our jobs board
The Bigger Picture
Together, Weldricks and Day Lewis represent the family-owned mid-size chain segment of UK pharmacy — a segment squeezed between the scale of Boots/Well and the flexibility of independents. Their combined 52 vacancies account for 3.8% of the national total.
For pharmacy professionals who value regional roots and independent ownership over corporate scale, these chains offer a distinct career proposition. Compare their offers against the full market using PharmSee's salary tool.
Data: PharmSee analysis of 1,385 active pharmacy vacancies from 11 sources and regional salary data from 389 salary samples, April 2026.