19 December 2024
Specsavers has celebrated the relocation of its Haverfordwest practice, making it the multiple’s largest practice in Wales, boasting 14 eye examination rooms that overlook the River Cleddau.
The move to new premises follows a £1.2million investment, which was led by specialist optometrist and ophthalmic director, Andy Britton, and optometrist and retail director, Wayne Jones.
The new practice houses two audiology suites and a dedicated low vision room. With space to grow, the practice will be able to expand in the future to provide further services, adding to its list which already includes: independent prescribing (IP) services, glaucoma management and refinement, advanced medical contact lenses, orthokeratology, myopia management, dry eye, cataract pre- and post-operative care, medical retina screening, wet age-related macular degeneration referral refinement, certification for vision impairment, and much more.
As an accredited training practice, it will also be able support optometrists in the area who are training for further qualifications such as IP and glaucoma.
The new premises, which once housed a Boots and a Poundland, were designed with the support of Jones, who has experience as an architect.
The relocation has taken two years of planning.
Speaking at the opening, Britton explained: “This substantial investment reflects our commitment to delivering world-class eye and hearing care to Pembrokeshire. The larger premises will allow us to meet growing demand and introduce advanced clinical services.”
Talking to OT, Britton shared: “I’ve seen the writing on the wall for the old premises for two and a half years now. This location is perfect for us as a business and for the town.”
Each testing room has been designed with ergonomics at the core, with Britton and Jones investing additionally to ensure the wellbeing of their practice staff.
“It’s a better environment for my colleagues, giving them something that makes them want to come to work each morning,” Britton said when discussing the testing rooms, which open to a view of the river.
Walking into the practice for the first time once work was completed, Jones shared that it was “one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.”
“It’s a crazy feeling to have had something in your head, to put it on paper, and to see it come to reality,” he added.
The practice officially opened on Monday (16 December) with a celebratory event featuring live entertainment from the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir, and local musician and dispensing technician, Kyle Kirkhouse.
The ribbon was cut by one of the practice’s long-standing customers, Madaline Roberts, who runs the Milford Haven branch of the Macular Society.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to join the discussion. Log in