Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists has acquired Charnley Opticians in Royal Leamington Spa, as it looks to expand its portfolio from 19 practices to 40 by 2025.
The Yorkshire-based independent will take on Charnley Opticians’ 15 members of staff who carry out 7,500 eye examinations each year.
Charnley Opticians will retain its own branding for 12 months and Bayfields will start to introduce new services such as audiology and a new contact lens offering within six months.
The practice is Bayfields’ largest practice by volume, which will grow as the independent doubles the number of testing rooms and extends appointment times from 30 to 45 minutes.
Charnley Opticians has practised for over 100 years and is currently owned by Rod Jenkins and Bernard Reilly, who will step down and retire following the acquisition.
In a letter to patients, the owners said: ‘We’ve always put our clients first, and we’re confident that you’ll agree wholeheartedly with our choice of Bayfields.’
Royston Bayfield, founder and managing director of Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, said: ‘We have already spent several months taking time to understand Charnley’s and the lifestyle of its customers, so we can truly hit the ground running and start finding new solutions to their eye and ear health issues.
‘We’ve also identified ways we can develop the business, introducing additional services to ensure it remains one of Leamington Spa’s most trusted and professional services. In acquiring this practice and its outstanding team, we will further strengthen our offering as optical and audio specialists. This is yet another milestone in our plans to grow the Bayfields brand exponentially in the next five years. It is a very exciting time and just a sign of things to come.’