Bank funding saves community practice

Leicester-based family independent opticians Opticare has increased the number of its practices after receiving funding from Santander Business Banking.

The funding allowed Opticare to purchase the freehold for its fourth practice, an existing optician in Sileby. The owners of the practice had made plans to retire and were planning to shut down the business.

The purchase means residents will continue to have a local optician for their eye care needs. Opticare was established in 1991 by Shaish Shah and Paresh Patel after they graduated from Cardiff University. The business began with one opticial practice in Newark, followed by additional two in Anstey and Birstall.