Following an investment of £500,000, Specsavers in Bristol City Centre, which is locally owned and run, celebrated its makeover in style. The refreshed store was officially opened by Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, who returned to the city she was born in to help cut the ribbon. She was also joined by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Henry Michallat to mark the occasion. The celebrations were completed with a stilt walker, cake and balloons.
The store, which was originally located on Union Street and opened in 1987, has played an integral role in the Bristol community for nearly 40 years. Serving generations of customers, supporting local initiatives, and becoming a trusted and familiar provider of the very best eye and ear care services.
The 40-strong team is headed up by directors Rebecca Conway, Sarah McGowan, Nirav Shah and James Tucker, who have more than 70 years’ experience between them. The refit has seen the whole store refreshed, with new frame displays and new fixtures installed throughout, helping to enhance the customer experience. A dedicated hearing and wax removal room has also been created to support the expansion of the audiology service.
‘Lots of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to get the store ready for the reopening,’ James comments. ‘After all the planning, it was fantastic to be able to open our doors and welcome customers in to see our new look. We’d like to say a big thank you to Dame Mary Perkins and the Lord Mayor of Bristol for coming along to cut the ribbon and celebrate with us.’
‘The Bristol store was among the very first Specsavers stores that we opened so to see it still thriving after all these years is brilliant. It brings back so many memories and makes me incredibly proud to see that it’s still here and that the team is so invested in making sure the business continues to play an important role in helping to serve the community,’ Dame Mary adds.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Henry Michallat was also keen to praise the new store: ‘It was fantastic to see the new store and celebrate with the team and local community. As the new Lord Mayor, I’m pleased that Bristol can continue to benefit from the team’s expertise and the range of services that are available. It’s great to know that Bristolians’ eyes and ears are in such good hands.’
For more information or to book an appointment at Specsavers Bristol City Centre, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/bristol or call 0117 922 5288. Alternatively, you can visit the team at 30/32 Merchant Street, Bristol, BS1 3EP.