European News

07, May 2013.

Vision Express has acquired 12 optical stores across the North of West of England from Blackburn-based optician Crown Eyeglass.

The stores will be rebranded as part of the Vision Express portfolio, bringing its total number of outlets in the UK and Ireland to 331.

Eight of the outlets currently trading as Crown Optical Centre and Direkt Optik will transfer optical services to nearby Vision Express stores, although Vision Express hopes to retain the Crown Eyeglass staff within its store network. The remaining four stores will trade from their curent locations, with their existing teams under Vision Express branding.

Vision Express recently announced a 6% rise in operating profit, which it attributed to its wide range of products and commitment to customer service.

Jonathan Lawson, chief executive, said: "This is a very exciting investment for Vision Express and we are looking forward to working with our new teams and welcoming new customers to Vision Express.

"We hope to replicate some of the successes we have had in our existing high street stores and continue to provide more customers with an excellent eye care service, a wider range ofproducts, as well as value for money."

Kate Clayton, head of human resources at Vision Express, added: "We extend a warm welcome to the teams and look forward to having them onboard, and dedicating our joint focus and commitment to a seamless customer transition and ongoing service experience."