Sussex pet owners lambast vet's suspension; Your bumper May guide
The best curated guide to East (and West) Sussex. What's on in your county, news, food & drink, sport, miscellaneous, history, humour and recommendations
News: On the Agenda
This issue we report on an emotive subject. Please do share this newsletter to your network, especially pet owners…
Exclusive — Sussex pet owners are vigorously campaigning for the reinstatement of an "exemplary" East Sussex vet who was suspended from his post.
Dr Alex Llorens has been a long-serving vet in the county but campaigners say he has been "unfairly targeted" by Medivet "for not conforming to their exact practice".
The revered Forest Row-based vet, a partner at the now corporate-owned business, reportedly gave discounted costs to some customers who could "ill afford" escalating vet prices.
To underline how important Dr Llorens has been for locals, two separate petitions (here and here) were launched, which have so far garnered well over a combined 4,000 signatures in 10 days.
‘We aim to shed light on the unjust practices within Medivet and hold them accountable for their actions,” said one petition. “No company should be allowed to compromise the well-being of animals for the sake of profit.”
Meanwhile, locals were set to stage a peaceful protest outside Medivet in Forest Row yesterday, while its CEO was also set to be inundated with emails following the controversial move to oust Dr Llorens, pictured below.
"Medivet seems determined on destroying Alex's life and impeccable reputation," said a post on the Nutley Village Community.
Another post added that Llorens “has been unfairly refrained from working within his field locally and it’s heartbreaking for him.”
Since the pandemic, private equity has muscled in on the veterinary sector. In 2021, CVC Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Medivet — a deal reportedly worth more than £1 billion.
Social Sussex has contacted CVC for comment.
What pet owners have said:
Another example of Private Equity taking over a vet business (like many others) and trying to squeeze as many £££s into the business before they sell out and take all their riches - utterly shameful.
Alex is an utter gem of a vet!! My whole family have had Alex and Chris caring for their pets for years!! Even though it’s much further to drive I still go there now as my loyalty is to Alex and not Medivet. If Alex is not reinstated I like many will follow Alex and leave Medivet.
‘Personal touch has been lost’ with corporate takeover
As one national newspaper wrote recently: “The days of small, independently run practices seem done, with large veterinary companies taking over and cashing in.”
And pet owners who use Medivet are seemingly not the only ones under the cosh from rising vet bills, with independently run practices becoming an increasingly rare breed.
Private equity-backed UK vet care company IVC Evidensia also own several Sussex premises, including Cliffe Vets in Lewes.
One pet owner recently needed out-of-hours care for her dog. “In the past you could get that personal service,” the owner told Social Sussex, “but I was directed to Vets Now where the cost would be £500 just to be seen. The personal touch has been lost and not being able to provide affordable 24-hour care is a disgrace.”
On the market
From The Times - What £3m gets you in… Lewes (more here)
Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead, pictured above - An historic Grade II* listed property situated in a private site of about 28 acres - Savills £5.5m
Plumpton - 5,537 sq ft with excellent views of the South Downs set in just under 3 acres. On with Hamptons £1.97m
Danehill - A Grade II listed former care home set in over 50 acres. Rightmove £4.5m
Chichester - A beautifully converted barn never before seen on the open market. Fine & Country, £2.5m
Ditchling Road, Brighton - Semi-detached Victorian Villa, rarely available. Cubitt & West, £1.3m
Steyning - Beautiful Grade II listed Georgian former vicarage with far-reaching views. Savills £1.7m
Looking ahead: Gigs, comedy, arts & sport
It’s a bumper month in May…
4-26 Brighton Festival, fill your boots
5 Brighton v Aston Villa, 2pm
7 Elbow, Brighton Centre - first arena tour since 2018
9 Milton Jones, Hove
11 The Bluetones, Brighton
12: Plumpton Races season finale
16-27 Charleston Festival, Firle
17 Sussex v Yorkshire, Hove - County Championship day 1
17-19 Faerie Festival, Henfield
18-19 1940s Weekend, Tenterden
18 Spiritualized, Brighton Dome
19 The Great British Dog Walk 2024, Bodiam Castle
24-27 Elderflower Fields Festival, Pippingford Park
24 - June 2 Steyning Festival
24 The Streets, East Brighton Park
25 Worthing Regatta, Worthing
25 Heathfield Show
29 Babybird (remember them?), Brighton
Other features such as food/drink/hotels/openings will return in the next issue.