Jobs saved in rescue for Welsh High Street Opticians
A total of 19 jobs have been saved following the merger of two well-known high street opticians.
Julian Davies Opticians has agreed a pre-pack administration deal to rescue Bateman Opticians, which had been placed into administration and had been facing closure.
The rescue package, handled by insolvency and restructuring specialists Leonard Curtis, will see four Bateman practices in Cardiff, Newport and Blackwood remain open, with all staff continuing in their current roles and no changes for patients.
Chris Tannorella, director of Julian Davies Opticians, said: “We are delighted to have secured the future of these practices and the jobs of the hard-working staff who are much-loved and appreciated by their patients.
“We know how important it is to have a real community focus in our business and we look forward to continue being there to look after the eye health of people across Cardiff, Newport and Blackwood.
“We look forward to welcoming our 19 new members of staff, taking us to a team of 45 across nine practices. Importantly, our patients will see no changes to the service they already enjoy and will continue to see the same friendly faces whenever they come in for an appointment.”
Siann Huntley from Leonard Curtis commented: "This was a text-book pre-pack where everyone pulled together really quickly and efficiently to market the Batemans opportunity and confirm a positive outcome with an independent third party in record time. This ensured livelihoods and jobs were protected.
"It is not easy for businesses at the moment, so this was the perfect new year's gift for staff, patients and communities across all four practices and the wider Julian Davies Opticians Group. They are well placed for an exciting 2023.”
Julian Davies Opticians was founded in 1992 when contact lens specialist Julian Davies opened his first practice in the Pillgwenlly area of Newport. In the years that followed, Julian built up a large and loyal patient base built on the foundations of a great customer service and clinical excellence and further practices in Usk, St Mellons, Llandaff and Whitchurch were added.
The group has gone from strength to strength in recent years, providing enhanced shared care glaucoma services in Cardiff and Newport and offering independent prescribing, meaning optometrists can clinically assess a patient, establish a diagnosis, determine the clinical management required and prescribe where necessary.
