Optical Express defends buyback of optical practices

Optical Express has responded to criticism from the British Property Federation for buying back half the practices it placed under administration.

Administrators PKF were appointed to a subsidiary of Optical Express that closed 40 high street practices last week. The unit is one of nine Optical Express subsidiaries.

Of the 80 practices affected under the administration, 40 are being closed (News 05.10.12) and the other 40 absorbed back into the parent group.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: 'Administration should be about putting hard-pressed businesses back on their feet, not giving them a leg-up. We're therefore very surprised to see Optical Express stating its intention to buy back a number of stores.