Specsavers Stroud Celebrates Staff Milestones and Expands Community Eye Care Services

The team at Specsavers in Stroud is celebrating significant achievements among three of its members, highlighting both individual milestones and the positive impact of the store on the local community. Supervisors Charlotte Franklin and Lynn Staines are commemorating five years of dedicated service, while Bryce Tidmarsh is proudly marking his qualification as a registered optometrist. Charlotte Franklin's journey at Specsavers began at the tender age of 16 when she joined the store as a weekend staff member. Her passion for the role led her to make the transition to full-time employment post-A levels. Over the years, she has built upon her foundational experience, earning Level 3 and 4 qualifications in dispensing and completing a clinical technician course. Currently, she is advancing her education further by studying to become a qualified dispensing optician at Bradford University. Charlotte's commitment to professional growth exemplifies the ethos of continuous learning and development that Specsavers values. Lynn Staines, who also has a rich history with Specsavers, returned to her position after a brief stint in a different role elsewhere. Since her return, she has completed an additional five years with the company, enhancing her skills with a Level 3 qualification in dispensing. Lynn currently serves as the call centre supervisor, where her expertise continues to be an asset to the team and the customers they serve. The store also celebrates Bryce Tidmarsh, who has become the ninth pre-registration optometrist to qualify through the Stroud branch. His achievement reflects not only his hard work but also the store's commitment to nurturing talent via the Specsavers apprenticeship scheme, which has been a significant contributor to the professional development of many in the industry. Store director Cobi Williams expressed pride in the accomplishments of Charlotte, Lynn, and Bryce, emphasizing their contributions to the team. “All three are real assets to the team here in Stroud, and we're looking forward to many more years with them on board,” he noted. The past year has also marked a major transition for the Specsavers Stroud location, as it relocated from King Street to the Five Valleys Shopping Centre. This move has allowed the store to expand its facilities significantly, increasing from four to seven clinics in a space nearly double that of their previous location. The benefits of this expansion are evident in the numbers: since reopening, the store has conducted over 17,000 eye tests, 2,433 contact lens appointments, and handled 1,205 urgent eye care visits that would have otherwise burdened NHS services. This impressive total of nearly 21,000 appointments underscores the store’s vital role in supporting eye health in the community. Williams concluded with satisfaction about the store's contributions, stating, “We are delighted we could help so many people in the local community with their eye health care.” As the Specsavers team in Stroud looks ahead, the achievements of its dedicated staff and the positive impact on the community are reasons to celebrate and build upon in the years to come.