T J Hughes invests in new optical outlets

Discount department store T J Hughes is following in the footsteps of the large UK supermarkets by introducing optical practices within its outlets throughout the country.

Specialeyes, headed by partner Paul Jackson, was launched in two T J Hughes Warrington and Sheffield-based stores last October, but the company plans to open a further nine practices this year and a similar number next year.

T J Hughes' concessions manager Steve Purcell said the company was concentrating on the North East in the first instance with plans to open optical practices on a regional basis thereafter.

'We've just opened a practice in Scunthorpe and we are opening another in Doncaster in a week's time. We then plan to expand in Newcastle and Hull, then down to the Midlands and possibly to the south,' he said.