Specsavers has temporarily closed four of its manufacturing and distribution sites because of a fall in demand caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Employees at the four sites have been furloughed under the government scheme from April 1 until further notice with a small number of staff kept on to continue essential maintenance checks.
Adrian Tune, director of manufacturing and distribution at Specsavers, said: ‘We are grateful that the government job retention scheme allows us to look after our colleagues at this difficult time and protect their jobs for the future. We look forward to welcoming them back to work as soon as possible.’
The multiple’s closures include Airways Optical in Southampton, which employs 117 people and usually manufactures 85,000 bespoke prescription lenses a week.
Kidderminster sites Vision Labs, which employs 260 people and manufactures 110,000 bespoke prescription lenses a week, has been closed as well as IGS, which employs 136 people and supplies 30,000 complete spectacles a week to practices and its domiciliary business.
Specsavers’ frames, lenses and accessories distribution centre Hi-Specs Lenses in Kettering, which employs 74 people, has also been closed.
The Lens Online business in Kidderminster, which distributes contact lenses to Specsavers stores and customers, will remain open.