A TOTAL of 22 jobs have been created as opticians Specsavers today open their third new store in the north in as many months.
Seven jobs will come with the opening of the outlet in Downpatrick, while another seven staff are on the payroll at the James Street store in Cookstown launched just before Christmas. Eight staff were also recruited for Specsavers’ Newry Street store in Banbridge.
The opening of three new Specsavers stores has increased number of the company’s opticians and audiology locations in Northern Ireland to 21.
An estimated £250,000 has been invested in each store to provide state-of-the-art eyecare and hearing centres with soundproof rooms.
The investment in Downpatrick has been made by Specsavers directors Lynsey Caldwell and Paula Cunningham, who have run the successful Connswater store in east Belfast for 16 years.
Brian O’Kane, Specsavers Northern Ireland chairman, said the demand for their services is continually increasing.
"We are constantly investing to upgrade our current stores and open new ones in areas which are not already well served by our businesses," he said.
"The store investments are all being made at a local level by store directors to provide essential health services for local people.
"We are committed to provide top quality and value for money cutting edge eyecare and audiology services for clients across Northern Ireland and are delighted to have created 22 new jobs since October."
Last year Specsavers directors also invested £600,000 to move from Ann Street to a new store at Victoria Square, trebling the capacity of the business.
