Optical retailer Specsavers today becomes the latest outlet to open for trading at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre.
The opticians group was first revealed as a new tenant in July and workers moved in to fit out the unit last month.
The new store, in mall unit 4 (to the left of the Carphone Warehouse shop), will be open from 9am – 7pm Monday – Friday, 9.30pm – 6pm on Saturdays and from 10am – 4pm on Sundays.
The company says that seven jobs have been created at the new store.
The Specsavers group, which now has over 1,400 stores worldwide, was founded in Bristol 25 years ago by Doug and Same Mary Perkins.
Dame Mary, who was born in Bristol, says:
“I’m delighted that 25 years on from our first Specsavers in Bristol we are now opening our ninth store in the city. The Bristol area has always proved a successful trading environment for us and we are incredible grateful to our loyal customers. This is a great way of giving something back by providing a more convenient service to Bradley Stoke residents, and we are also delighted to be creating new jobs in the community.”
Visitors to the new Bradley Stoke outlet will be able to browse through more than 1,200 pairs of specs on display in store. It boasts three testing rooms, the latest pre-testing equipment and a fundus camera. The nine-strong team is lead by store directors Vivek Lakhanpaul and Edward Stanleigh who together have a total of more than 22 years’ optical experience.
Mr Stanleigh has managed the Chippenham branch of Specsavers for the last four years, while Mr Lakhanpaul has worked as an optometrist at various Specsavers outlets, including the Bracknell store.
Appointments at the new store may be made on 01454 275020.
The opening of the new store coincides with Guide Dog Week, run by Specsavers’ charity partner Guide Dogs. To celebrate, the store will be paid a visit by Zara, a four-month-old black Labrador puppy and her handler, Joan Bowering, on Wednesday 7th October.
Throughout the week, staff at the store will be carrying out specs MOTs in return for a donation and all the money raised will go to Guide Dogs.
There will also be a party day held at the store on Saturday 10th October when the Specsavers Quadruped – a stilt walker on four legs – will be on hand to entertain customers and goodie bags will be given out by staff.
Related link:
- Opticians in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
