Six Optimax clinics to close after trading downturn

Six Optimax clinics are to close imminently, Optician has learned, with up to 120 staff set to lose their jobs.

The Chester, Croydon, Hull, Ipswich, Nottingham and Southend clinics were selected for closure from a group of 10 originally identified by the company as suffering from reductions in the number of surgery enquiries.

In an email sent to staff, Optimax chairman and founder Russell Ambrose said the decision had not been taken lightly and that he was deeply sorry to staff members whose jobs would be affected by the closures. ‘As you all well know this year has been a very quiet year with the lowest number of enquiries for years. These closures are being made for the benefit of the rest of the company. I am confident that these measures will secure the future for Optimax and Ultralase group for a long time to come,’ wrote Ambrose.