Optimax rescue guarantees Ultralase’s future – Ambrose

OPTIMAX chairman Russell Ambrose has said that Yorkshire laser eye surgery group Ultralase could have closed without his company stepping in to rescue it.

As TheBusinessDesk.com revealed yesterday, London-headquartered Optimax has bought Ultralase in a move that has seen Ultralase’s chief executive Tony Veverka step down.

However, the deal has seen a number of Ultralase clinics close and jobs at the Leeds-based business being lost.

Commenting on the takeover, which has seen the group rebranded as Ultralase Optimax Group, Mr Ambrose said: “Ultralase has been unprofitable for many years and although I have had to close some clinics, I have been able to preserve 14 of their clinics and retain 110 jobs. Optimax clinics are unaffected.

“I am pleased to give my personal guarantee to Ultralase patients that they will be looked after and their lifetime aftercare guarantee continues.

“Optimax has continued to expand steadily in challenging market conditions, and we have survived in this very difficult economy by offering excellent service and medical care at affordable prices.”

Mr Ambrose described the restructuring of Ultralase as inevitable owing to its large debts and high overheads.

“Whoever bought Ultralase would have had to restructure the company, and we are in the best position to do so,” he said. “This is a far better outcome than closing the company which could have happened”.

He added that he would look to be making “substantial” investment into the group.

“There will be continuity of care for all patients, and more clinic locations and an enlarged team of doctors and optometrists.”

Ultralase Optimax now has 41 clinics, making it the largest provider of laser eye surgery in the UK and Ireland.