M&As: The power of two

It is not hard to find examples of mergers within the profession. In August 2023, Optician noted that Eyesite Opticians in Brighton had merged with TH Collison Opticians after the death of its former owner Brian Collison. The practices, situated less than a mile away from each other, now trade from Eyesite’s North Street site and patient records were transferred.

Not two months later, came the merger of Lesley Cree Opticians in Radcliffe on Trent with Amanda Findlay Eyecare in Keyworth and Ruddington. The combined practices operate as Lesley Cree Opticians with around 20,000 patients.

In February 2024, the Keswick Reminder reported that Smith & Butterfield Optometrists and Kirkbride Eyecare in Keswick had merged to trade from Smith & Butterfield’s practice with patients and notes transferred over from Kirkbride Eyecare.