An Ilford opticians has celebrated three decades of serving the local community by investing in a new state-of-the-art store.
The opening of Specsavers Ilford’s new home was marked by a visit from the Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Beverley Brewer, and the Labour MP for Ilford South, Jas Athwal. Both addressed the team, thanking them for their long-standing service and commitment to the community, while also praising the store’s new and improved facilities.
The relocated store now offers a fully accessible, single-floor layout, expanded clinical capacity with three additional test rooms, a brand-new contact lens department and an enhanced audiology service featuring two new rooms – including a dedicated wax clinic – operating five days a week.
Store director Mohammed Rehmani runs Specsavers Ilford alongside retail director Fizan Khan, heading up an experienced team with more than a combined 124 years of service.
Mohammed says: ‘‘It’s hard to believe the store is coming up to its 33rd birthday, having opened all the way back in July 1993.
‘The vast majority of our 124 years’ combined service is drawn from the community too. We’ve always be keen to offer local people roles where possible and lots of them have gone on to develop into bigger roles as we’ve grown.
‘Relocating to a larger space has improved accessibility and expanded our services, enabling us to better meet the growing eye and hearing care needs of our community. Audiology services now operate five days a week instead of two, clinical capacity has increased, and all services are fully accessible on a single floor, compared to our previous location where facilities were spread across two levels.’
Since the store opened, the team has trained hundreds of people, some of whom have gone on to become fully qualified opticians and store partners with Specsavers.
The Mayor of Redbridge says: ‘It was a pleasure to mark the relocation of Specsavers Ilford and to celebrate the continued commitment it has shown to the community. For over 30 years, this store has played an important role in supporting the eye and hearing health of the community, and it is wonderful to see that commitment strengthened through its impressive new facilities.
‘I would like to thank the entire team for their dedication and long-standing service to our borough. I wish them every success in their new location and look forward to seeing the positive impact this improved store will continue to have on our community.’
As part of the visit, Jas Athwal MP and the Mayor of Redbridge both underwent eye tests at the newly opened Specsavers Ilford.
Jas Athwal MP says: ‘Ilford town centre continues to go from strength to strength, and the relocation of Specsavers Ilford to a larger, more accessible venue is a welcome investment in our high street. This move will mean an improved experience for residents, with better facilities and greater convenience. I wish the whole team at Specsavers Ilford the very best in their new location and look forward to seeing them continue to support local people with high-quality eye and hearing care.’
For more information or to book a sight test, call Specsavers Ilford on 020 8553 1122 or visit them at their new location 156-160 High Road, IG1 1LL.
