Boots Opticians closes all glazing labs - staff to transfer to Hoya

As many as 150 staff could lose their jobs at Boots Opticians after it announced the closure of all 28 of its regional glazing centres and transfer of all glazing work to Hoya.

All permanent Boots employees working in the RGCs will transfer to Hoya over the next three months, but given relocation distances involved it is expected many will opt for redundancy.

The decision to close the RGCs, made on July 18, follows a two-month trial with Hoya Lens UK in Wrexham involving 29 Boots practices (News, May 19). Edinburgh RGC will shut first on September 8, Belfast a week later, then three to four RGCs closing each week until November 10.