Westside Vets takes over defunct Lerwick Veterinary Practice

Westside Vets this week confirmed it had taken over the Lerwick Veterinary Practice which went into receivership two weeks ago.

The Bixter-based company has taken over all of the Lerwick practice’s clients but has not bought the premises at Commercial Road, which belong to Edwin Moar, the previous vet to work at that address.

Westside Vets has also added a locum vet, Alice Bacon, to its staff, who had previously worked in the Western Isles for 18 months and as such is experienced in the type of work required in Shetland.

The former owner of the Lerwick practice, Jim Tait, has also been taken on, on a part-time basis, to deal with the added workload.

The practice also has a surgery in Scalloway, which has had its opening hours extended. A receptionist from Lerwick Veterinary Practice has also been taken on.

Director of Westside Vets Juliet Nicolson said the business was in for a busy time and appealed to customers to call in advance if possible, and be aware that they may be in for longer waiting times.

Mrs Nicolson said: “It’s wasn’t a situation we ever expected to find ourselves in and one that, when it happened, happened very quickly.

“It’s been difficult for us and for the clients from the Lerwick practice due to them having to close so quickly, but now that everyone knows what’s going on we can focus on getting organised.

“The next month to six weeks will be a real priority, it’s going to be very, very busy with the lambing coming up.

“I would ask customers to bear with us at the moment, we’re doing our best and we’d hope to be able to provide as good a service as customers are used to.”