Specsavers Penarth has re-opened its doors following a £400,000 renovations funded by store partners, Andrew Moss and James Deavall. This store now features upgraded displays, additional space, and a brand new test room with state-of-the-art technology. It will also act as a training and development centre for Specsavers staff across South East Wales.

To celebrate the relaunch, the team hosted a party on Friday, 2 August, with guests including the mayor of Penarth, Councillor Gwenda Roberts, GPs, pharmacists and other local dignitaries. Highlights included a guided tour of the store, an array of food and drinks, and a speech from the mayor. The investment responds to the increasing demand for quality eye and ear care services in the region and the necessity for well-trained optometrists. It will also help to ease pressure on the NHS in Wales by offering services on its behalf.

Andrew Moss, director at Specsavers Penarth, says: “With the growing demand for our services in the local area, we’re proud to support our community and help alleviate pressure on the NHS, which has been made easier by our recent renovation.”

James Deavall, retail director, adds: “We’re very proud to be the training and development centre for the South East region, which will ensure that all Specsavers staff receive consistent training, maintaining high standards of care for customers.”

Meet Specsavers Penarth’s community champion

Penarth local Hayley Cousins has worked at Specsavers for two years and is passionate about her role as community champion. Alongside the larger fundraising events hosted by the store, she organisers in-store events such as raffles and bake sales.

Raising over £2,000 for local causes

The team at Specsavers Penarth is passionate about supporting the community and, this year, has continued to find exciting ways to raise vital funds for charitable causes.

In April, store manager Kenny Hall raised an incredible £1,418 for special needs school Ysgol y Deri, by completing a 30 miles run around the school’s grounds. The money raised from the run, which was organised by the store’s community champion, helped provide much-needed equipment and therapies for the school.

More recently, Tom Howells, the store’s dispensing optician, and optometrist Hannah Priest were inspired to take on a 10km sponsored run for Guide Dogs Cymru after meeting a guide dog owner who visited the store. Together, they raised an impressive £660.

The team has even more fundraisers lined up for later in the year, including a sponsored head shave by team member Kath Haggard. This head shave will raise awareness of fibromyalgia, a condition that causes Kath widespread pain and extreme tiredness, and will help make it easier for her to get ready each morning. So far, she has raised £180 for Fibromyalgia Action UK.

As we approach the festive season, the store will support Boomerang, a Cardiff-based charity tackling poverty, social isolation and homelessness, by collecting gifts to help create a magical Christmas for less fortune children. Specsavers Penarth, along with the other stores in Cardiff and Penarth, will act as collection points for the charity until Sunday, 15 December, encouraging locals to donate new items that can be packaged and sent out during the Christmas period.

To view upcoming events, take a look at the store’s community boards during your next visit. If you’re a charity or community group that would benefit from support, please speak to the community champions or email jodie.morgan@specsavers.com.