New Specsavers store opens in Bideford

BIDEFORD’S new Specsavers store has now opened – bigger and better than before.

It was announced in September that Specsavers Bideford would be opening a new store in the town after fire severely damaged the original High Street property.

Since then shop-fitters have been working at the new premises, just 200 yards up from the previous site, which had been operating as a Specsavers store for more than 20 years.

The new store is more spacious than the previous one, has five testing rooms and an audiology room, with a purpose-built ramp for wheelchair-users to enter from the car park at the rear of the store.

Gordon Cumming and Kiren Fox, directors at the store, also said they will be employing more staff at the new premises throughout next year.

Kiren said: ‘We’ve been really looking forward to welcoming people into the new store. They are noticing a number of significant upgrades on the previous site.

‘Our aim really has been to combine the latest technology with the best facilities so that we provide an ultra-modern service for the people of Bideford.’

The previous store was damaged by fire that started in the roof of a residential property on 7 September. Seven fire engines attended the scene, with crews fighting the flames for several hours.

No injuries were reported, but there was extensive damage to the roof and top floor of the property at the corner of Mill Street and High Street.

Gordon added: ‘Our forced move up the road has caused massive upheaval, but we are confident that it will result in an even better service for our customers.’

Specsavers Bideford is now taking appointments for the new store. For further information, call 01237 420042.