In Focus: Givers and takers

A period of consolidation has started at Black & Lizars with a focus on patients who value quality service amid changes to the wider landscape of optical practices in Scotland.

Competitors such as Hakim Group have partnered with reputable independents while Duncan and Todd outlined expansion plans and large investment in its lens business.

As competitors made moves, Black & Lizars was firmly set on delivering clinical excellence at its 11 practices, predominately based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

John Hare, owner of the optical group, told Optician there were no further changes planned after selling nine of its practices to Duncan and Todd in 2019.

Hare has been at the helm for 15 years and operations were run by the group’s management team, but Covid-19 meant he adopted a more active role in the company.

‘Fundamentally, the focus of Black and Lizars has not changed in the way that we still want to do our best for patients. It’s been going for 193 years and our philosophy has always been service-led. This is what we do and the quality won’t be changing,’ Hare explained.