What is claimed by its founder to be the UK’s first joint opticians and post office venture is to open its doors in Littlehampton, West Sussex later this month.
The practice and post office concept, 20 Twenty Vision Eyewear, was the brainchild of dispensing optician Mitul Patel, who said he spotted a gap in the market after the town’s post office decided to close a poorly performing shopping arcade and relocate.
Patel said he met with the post office’s operators with a view to finding out their plans. After learning they were looking for a franchise partner, he submitted a business plan direct to the Post Office, who approved his proposals and told Patel it was the first franchise of its type in the UK.
‘Over 2,500 people used the branch of the post office every week, so it was clear that there would be plenty of footfall – on a business level it made perfect sense,’ said Patel, who owns three other practices on the south coast.
Opposition in the town was strong, revealed Patel, but he said this relented once full plans showed that the new post office location would serve the community more effectively than the relocated post office.
The new practice has been built on the premises of an old shoe shop and has been designed to give a functional and modern feel. Five members of staff will work in the opticians section of the premises, including one optometrist. Four post office workers have moved from the old location.
The practice and post office was scheduled to begin trading on March 24.