Andy Moss, 36, brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role, and joins James Deavall at the Windsor Road store. Andy first joined Specsavers- which also offers a Home Visits service for those unable to visit one of its 1,000 locally owned stores- in 2002 as a part-time optical assistant, before completing a three-year course to become a dispensing optician.

In 2010, he studied optometry at Cardiff University and went on to become a qualified optometrist. He worked at Specsavers Fremantle in Perth, Australia.

Most recently, he was director of Specsavers in Cowbridge, which opened in March 2018 after the nearby Talbot Green store was met with growing demand from Cowbridge residents.

Commenting on his appointment, Andy says: “After a successful five years at Cowbridge, I was keen to take on a new challenge and grow the business in Penarth. Both of the Vale towns share similarities in terms of what our customers are looking for, so I’m hoping my experience will prove very useful in this new role .

“There is a lot already in the pipeline for Penarth, with the team taking on additional training courses and plans for further investment with a six-figure refurbishment in the new year. I’m excited to see what the future will bring.”

During his five years in Cowbridge, Andy spearheaded a number of charity fundraisers and local initiatives to give back to the community. This included raising money for local dementia charity, The Memory Jar, and the Cowbridge Physic Garden earlier this year, as well as donating high visibility vests to local scout groups and sponsoring the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival.

Within his first few weeks in post in Penarth, he was involved in a fundraiser for the Penarth Foodbank, with the store donating £1 for every customer that completed a customer feedback survey, and store manager Kenny Hall taking part in a charity. In total, the store raised almost £300 for the foodbank.

Now, in the run-up to Christmas, the Penarth team will be taking on an 11-mile walking challenge to raise funds for PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals), which has a store in the seaside town.

The team has also chosen to support Boomerang, a Cardiff-based charity that aims to tackle poverty, social isolation and homelessness by collecting other items to distribute to those in need.

Specsavers Penarth, along with the four Specsavers stores in Cardiff, will act as a collection point for the charity in the run-up to Christmas, encouraging local residents to donate items that can be packaged up and sent out during the festive period. In the past, the charity has supported hundreds of families, including those living in hostels, experiencing homelessness, as well as refugees.

Andy says: “When I was director of the Cowbridge store, I was really keen to get out in the community, so it’s great that in my first few weeks in post in Penarth we’ve already been able to raise hundreds of pounds for the local foodbank.

“All of our staff will be given the opportunity to fundraise and volunteer for causes close to their hearts, including Boomerang, so we can truly give back to our community.”

Paul Gwilym, founder of Boomerang adds: “We are delighted that Specsavers has chosen our Give a Gift Appeal to support through the festive period. From coming out of a global pandemic to being thrust straight into a cost-of-living crisis, there are going to be more families than ever that will require our support this Christmas. Our vision has always been clear- we wish to see smiles on children’s faces by giving them a gift on Christmas day with the generous help of the public. No one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

If you are a local charity or community group that would like to be supported by Specsavers Penarth, or would like to find out more information, please email jodie.morgan@specsavers.com