Double acquisition for independent opticians company

Yorkshire-based Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists has acquired opticians in Lancashire and Surrey as part of its ambitious expansion strategy.

The company, which aims to have 40 practices across the UK by 2025, has bought Spex Opticians in Clitheroe and Eyesite Opticians in Woking.

Bayfields, an independent group of opticians and audiologists was founded in 2004. Over the last 15 years it has grown across Yorkshire and has become a national brand, with 18 practices across the country.

 The most recent deals will help strengthen Bayfields’ presence in the north, where traditionally the majority of its practices have been located in Yorkshire, as well as in the south, where the company already has several other practices in Surrey, Hampshire and Hertfordshire. 

Both the former Spex Opticians and Eyesite Opticians premises have closed following the acquisitions, with patients transferred to Bayfields’ existing retail units – Castle Street in Clitheroe and on Commercial Way in Woking. 

Royston Bayfield, Founder and Managing Director of Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, said: “The last few years has seen us establish a stronger presence in both the north and south of England, and there has been great feedback and demand for our state-of-the-art eye and hearing health services.

“Acquiring Eyesite Opticians in Woking will further strengthen our offering in Surrey, while the acquisition of Spex in Clitheroe expands our reach further west outside Yorkshire in the north.”