Jobs have been saved following a merger of two well-known high street opticians in Wales. Julian Davies Opticians has agreed a prep-pack administration deal to rescue Bateman Opticians saving 19 jobs.
Bateman Opticians, which has four practices in Cardiff, Newport and Blackwood, had been placed into administration and facing closure. The rescue package sees the optician's practices remain open with staff continuing in their current roles.
The administration deal was handled by insolvency and restructuring specialist Leonard Curtis.
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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."
He added: "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.”
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Siann Huntley from Leonard Curtis said: "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 has practices in Newport, Usk, St Mellons, Llandaff and Whitchurch. The firm has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, providing enhanced shared care glaucoma services in Cardiff and Newport.
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