Royal visit for Specsavers labs

The Princess Royal visited a lens manufacturing site owned by Specsavers in Kidderminster this week.

Princess Anne spoke to employees including two Ukrainian refugees. She was welcomed by Specsavers’ founder Dame Mary Perkins, Mark Garnier, the MP for Wyre Forest, and local councillors. Vision Labs provides lens surfacing for Specsavers’ UK, processing up to 20,000 prescription lenses a day. It employs more than 700 people, together with sister companies International Glazing Services and Lens Online.

 Lee Timbrell, general manager, said: “We are extremely proud of what we’ve achieved here, especially after the challenges we faced due to the pandemic, when we were forced to close for a short period of time.  

 “We have a large, diverse workforce and are investing millions of pounds to maintain our manufacturing and distribution within the UK, making a vital contribution to the British economy at a time when times are tight for everyone.”

 Dame Mary Perkins, who founded Specsavers with her husband Doug nearly 40 years ago, said: ‘Manufacturing and distribution is an integral part of our business model as it enables us to supply our millions of UK customers with the lenses that help them to see better – and that’s what we’re all about – helping to make a positive difference to people’s lives.