Specsavers reaches milestone practice number

Four decades after opening the doors to the first Specsavers practice, co-founder Dame Mary Perkins has supported the official opening of its 1000^th UK and Ireland store.

The milestone practice, located in Hertfordshire, was officially opened by rugby player and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Ugo Monye, alongside the Mayor of Harpenden, Councillor Fiona Gaskell.

Situated on Harpenden High Street, the practice has received a £350,000 investment and will provide eye care and audiology services.

Harpenden practice director, Lewis Carroll, said: “Creating this practice has been such a fulfilling journey. Having the pleasure to watch residents go by while we added our touches to the practice has given me a real sense of what the town is all about.”

Audiology director, Vivek Joshi, who has more than 25 years’ experience working both overseas and in the NHS, said he looks forward to providing the “highest standard of audiological care” to patients.

Specsavers opened its first practice in Bristol in 1984. This year the multiple marks its 40th anniversary and in the last four decades has grown to become the largest privately-owned optical group, with practices in over 11 countries. Earlier this year, OT spoke to Dame Mary for its latest The OT Podcast episode, which you can listen to below.

Reflecting on the opening of the milestone practice, Dame Mary said: “If you had told me when we opened our first practice back in 1984 that we would be opening our 1000^th practice 40 years later, I wouldn’t have believed it. Our aim has always been to provide high-quality and affordable eye and hearing care to all, and I’m pleased that this new practice, run by experienced joint venture partners, will make our services accessible to even more people.”