This is such a difficult time for everyone but we believe it’s critical that we stay open to offer care when our customers need it, especially for key workers and to help support our partners in the NHS in providing critical care where it is most needed. It's also important that people still attend their appointments to make sure that their eye and hearing health is not at risk during this time.

We understand that customers may have concerns about coming into store but the safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues is our top priority and, in line with NHS recommendations and Public Health guidance, we have numerous safety measures in place. These include restrictions on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time, social distancing, and bank card instead of cash payments, where possible. 

Specsavers’ colleagues use personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout our stores and frames are thoroughly sanitised before and after each use. Customers are also asked to request an appointment in advance by phone or through our website to help manage social distancing and minimise the time they need to spend in store.

For those people who are self-isolating, vulnerable or unable to leave their home, we continue to offer ways to connect with us remotely. These services include:

• RemoteCare – a free nationwide consultation service offering advice and care via video and telephone link
• Ask The Expert – a Facebook group designed to give people access to professionals seven days a week, who can answer questions about general eye and hearing health concerns
• Remote tuning – Fine tuning compatible hearing aids from afar without customers needing to come into store
• An website sales service so that glasses and contact lenses can be bought online with a current prescription for those who can’t come in to a store

I’d like to finish by thanking our customers for their patience in these difficult times and wholeheartedly thanking our colleagues on the front line in our stores who, as part of the key worker cohort have played a key role in looking after people’s eye and hearing health throughout the pandemic where it is most needed - at the heart of the community. These are particularly stressful times in which to work in healthcare and their continued service under difficult circumstances is a great source of pride to me and the whole of Specsavers.

I hope that if you need us during the current lockdown, we’ll be there to help and care for you.