Co-op to shut laboratory

The decision comes as Co-operative Wholesale Services (CWS) has announced it has approached Maurice Miller, consultant to Tesco's optical offer, to help its retail strategy for its 52 Co-op Eye care opticians. The laboratory, which manufactures spectacles, is based in Plymouth and will close at the end of January with the loss of 13 jobs. The business was acquired several years ago from the Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society. A CWS spokeswoman said: 'The decision is consistent with CWS's plan to reduce its commitment to manufacturing in order to concentrate on its retail strategy.' She announced the appointment of Peter Meyer as project manager, with responsibility to develop Co-op Eye care's business. Mr Meyer, whose background is in retailing and healthcare marketing, is working with Mr Miller, optometrist and consultant. Mr Meyer said: 'This is a challenging time in optics, and, whilst the major chains dominate the market, there is most certainly a role for the independent optician focused on the local market and Co-op Eye care is well placed to take advantage of this.' In its interim report last year CWS reported that its Eye care business had suffered from a 'general turndown' in the market, but the reintroduction of free NHS eye examinations for the elderly had contributed to improvements in volumes and had benefited the Plymouth workshop. 'As a result,' the interim report stated, 'sales at the interim half year, at &\#163;4m, were marginally ahead of last year.'