Our new friend in the north

It takes the number of Clulow outlets in the Optika Group to 16. The new &\#163;150,000 Manchester practice is open until 10pm each day and is staffed by seven people, comprising an optometrist, branch manager, optical technician and four optical assistants. The responsibilities of London area manager Peter Drewitt have initially been extended to cover the northern branch. The practice stocks a large selection of designer names including Gucci, DKNY, Dolce and Gabbana, Giorgio Armani and Cartier. A spokeswoman for the Optika Group says the aim now is to fill in the area between London and Manchester with David Clulow practices. All the other David Clulow outlets are in the south. Its next opening will be in the Blue Water shopping centre, near the Dartford Tunnel in Kent, in March. Optika-Clulow group operations director Ayis Virides adds: 'Manchester is a fashionable and stylish city. This practice represents a major landmark.' The company has also taken over the sunglass concession in the new Selfridges' store in the Centre.