Pharma business magnate mourned
COHENS CO-FOUNDER ANWER PATEL ALSO HELPED BOLTON ACADEMY
TRIBUTES have been paid to the “kind and compassionate” pharmacist and cofounder of Cohens Chemist Anwer Patel, who died last week aged 66.
Patel, from Bolton, was unwell for a couple of years before passing away in the early hours last Wednesday (28).
Zoe Serrant, a superintendent pharmacist and head of operations at Cohens, paid tribute, saying, “His passion for Cohens and his employees was evident in all that he did. He had an incredible presence which made anyone he spoke to feel important.
“He was a warm, kind and compassionate man who was always willing to help others, especially those less fortunate than him.
“Anwer has left a massive legacy behind and his absence will be felt acutely, not only within Cohens, but also in the community he served. He has been a true inspiration to us all and he will be sorely missed.”
Patel and his elder brother Yakub set up their first pharmacy in Rochdale in 1979, and soon acquired their second, the Cohens pharmacy in Little Lever, Bolton.
The chain would later expand to some 170 branches in the peak of its first stage.
They sold 111 of their pharmacies to Lloyds in 2015 for £130 million and kept 30 branches, mainly in the north of England, which served as the platform for their next stage of expansion.
The Cohens’ directory now lists 215 stores, making it one of the largest independent pharmacy networks in the country.
Patel was also a founding member of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp).
In her tribute, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the CEO of AIMp, said: “On behalf of AIMp we would like to offer our deepest condolences upon the sad news of the death of Anwer Patel of Cohen’s Chemists.
“Anwer was not only the founder of the group along with his brother Yakub in the early 1980s but became pioneers in growth and models of innovation across our sector.
“Anwer was a man who liked to listen and learn. A modest man hugely respected for his council and pleasant disposition. He will be sadly missed by this sector and community pharmacy in general. Our thoughts and love go out to his family on this sad day for all who knew him and the legacy he leaves.”
Essa Academy in Bolton benefited from the role the brothers played, pledging £2m of the £20m needed to convert the former Hayward Grammar School into a city academy. Today the school is in the top 20 per cent nationally for pupil progress and is oversubscribed.
Its chief executive Andrew Cooper said: “Everyone at Essa is saddened by the news of Anwer’s passing. He cared about his local community and was one of the co-founders of Essa Academy and its chair of governors for several years. When Essa Primary Academy opened in 2014 on our Lever Edge Lane site, he became chair of the trustees board.”
The brothers were valued at £170m on the Asian Rich List, published by Eastern Eye.