A new Specsavers store is set to open within the Sainsbury’s on Victoria Road in Darlington.

A £480,000 investment into the new ground floor store is set to open to the public on Monday, March 27, and will offer a full range of optical and audiology services including NHS eye tests and contact lenses. 

Twelve new staff have been recruited to cover the requirements of the new store and to keep up with the high demand on the existing store on High Row, including two optometrists, a trainee audiologist and nine optical assistants. 

The new store is being taken on by directors Craig Blackett, Andrew Higginson, Liz Hearn and Elizabeth Dobson, retail, optical and audiology directors respectively who bring lots of experience with them, collectively serving over seventy years at Specsavers.

The Northern Echo: A new Specsavers shop is opening in Darlington. Picture: PAA new Specsavers shop is opening in Darlington. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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The new store will be open seven days a week, opening 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday, with customers able to book appointments online, by phone, or in-store.

The store is accessible to those with limited mobility, thanks to its single-level open floor plan design.

Mr. Blackett says: “We are delighted to demonstrate our continued commitment to the community with this new store by offering an alternative to families and commuters who otherwise struggle to get into the town centre.

“With the new store we can offer up to 500 more tests every week to make sure all who need can access them with the added bonus of free parking.”

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The Northern Echo: Sainsbury's, Victoria Road, Darlington. Picture: Google MapsSainsbury's, Victoria Road, Darlington. Picture: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)