Blackburn dental practice changes hands

Harvey Dental Care in Blackburn has been sold for an undisclosed sum.

Established in the 1990s, Harvey Dental Care has one full-fitted surgery and occupies the first floor of a semi-detached property.

The business was purchased by Dr Andy Harvey in 1994, who has now decided to sell to pursue retirement. 

Following a confidential sales process with Christie & Co, it has been purchased by first-time buyer, Dr Fahad Ghaffar.

Dr Andy said: "I bought the practice in 1994 and I was very quickly dropped into the deep end when I turned up for my first day and only one very young, very unqualified employee showed up for work - there were no TUPE laws back then.

"The practice has always been solidly NHS with some private patients. I always put my patients' needs first and this has been to the detriment of the business as the majority were unable to pay for private dental care.

“I know that the purchaser is focused on taking the practice forward and have no doubt that I have left my former patients in very capable hands. I really hope that he can expand the practice into one or two additional surgeries and thereby be able to offer a complete range of treatments in-house.”

Olivia Allison, senior business agent – dental at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, added: “Harvey Dental was a fantastic opportunity due to there being so much room to expand and build on the private side of the business. I am sure Dr Ghaffar will make a huge success of the practice going forward.

“There continues to be significant demand for practices of all profiles and sizes, underpinned by banks continuing to support buyers within the sector. Given we continue to sell more than 70 per cent of practices to independents, it is important to approach all buyer options on the open market to achieve the best possible outcome.”