BOSSES at a Bishop Auckland opticians have demonstrated their commitment to the town by investing £250,000 and creating nine jobs.

Directors at the Newgate Street branch of Specsavers say business is booming since it trebled the size of the store with a refit.

Tim Mitchison and Sean Hayes are among dozens of Bishop Auckland business people who are backing The Northern Echo and Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade in the Shopping For A Future campaign.

This aims to promote Bishop Auckland as a vibrant shopping and commercial centre and address issues highlighted by traders and their customers.

Mr Mitchison said: "We have spent a lot of our own money showing our commitment to Bishop Auckland because we believe it has a great future. Other retailers have done the same as us and invested in our property because we are trying to lift the profile of the town centre.

"Since the completion of the refit, we have seen a dramatic increase in sales and have taken on new staff to ensure our customers continue to receive the best possible service."

Mr Mitchison agreed with fellow optician Richard Boothroyd, who quit Newgate Street two weeks ago to move to Cockton Hill, that parking problems were driving away potential customers.

He said: "Parking needs to be addressed. It causes us serious problems. Customers need to know they can find somewhere to park otherwise they won't come.

"And our staff have difficulty finding a safe place to leave their cars during the day.

"We used to have a disabled space outside the front door but that has gone. It is difficult for disabled people to get to us during the limited times available.

"It is these sort of things which should be sorted out so that people come to Bishop Auckland time and time again."

Six recruits joined Specsavers in the past month, dispensing assistants Victoria Mason, Emily Best, Krystal Snaith and Jacqui Thompson and receptionists Lyndsay Maughan and Eileen Wren.

* The company opened in Bishop Auckland nine years ago and currently employs 31 people.