Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers, made a special visit to Broughton Shopping Park last week to open a new £550k technology-driven store.
The new Specsavers store’s launch event included colourful quadruped stilt walkers who performed outside the store throughout the day.
Customers and passing shoppers were invited to enjoy cakes, celebratory glasses of bubbly and balloons in and around the store, and all cheered their support as Dame Mary cut the ribbon, officially opening the store.
Dame Mary said: “I don’t make as many new store launch events as I’d like to, so to be able to attend this one here at Broughton Shopping Park is a real honour.
“The new store looks amazing and I’m sure it will be very popular with local people. I was really impressed to see all of the effort Scott and Kelly went to in order to ensure it was a fantastic launch event.”
Local radio station Dee 106.3 broadcasted live from the store. The station also brought along their mascot, Chester the Cat.
With a total re-fit cost of over £550k, the 1800sq ft store employs 13 staff and has three eyesight testing rooms, one of which doubles up as a hearing booth for hearing tests.
The new high-tech store will also feature cutting-edge tablet technology capable of taking customer measurements when dispensing glasses.
A ‘magic mirror’ camera will also be available, which enables customers to try on multiple frame styles, ensuring they receive the best and most accurate service possible.
The store will also feature a fully fitted lab, and will be the only opticians in the local area to do so. This means that in most cases, glasses can be made to order at the store on the same day someone has an eye test.
Retail director Scott Rogers said: “Over the last few weeks, Kelly Gibson, the store’s optical director, and I have really pulled all of the stops out to ensure the launch event is a real treat for local people, and it seems to have done the trick as feedback has been fantastic.
“We’ve made sure the new store will provide a leading service in both optical and hearing care for the area.
“We are delighted with the completed work and we are very excited about the future here. I think we should have a good future here at Broughton Shopping Park!”
Charlie Warr, deputy centre manager at Broughton Shopping Park, added: “The new Specsavers store is a welcome addition to an already prime line-up of popular brands at Broughton Shopping Park, with more new stores set to open in the coming months.”
Specsavers Optical Group was founded by Dame Mary and her husband in 1984 and the Broughton Shopping Park store is Specsavers’ 701st UK store.
