200 jobs under threat at Specsavers lens lab

AROUND 200 jobs are under threat at a lens manufacturing laboratory in Birmingham after optician Specsavers revealed plans to close the facility.

The group has now launched a consultation with staff at its Aston Labs facility on Holford Industrial Park. It said the move came as a result of reviewing its operations to “ensure we remain efficient”.

The firm also runs manufacturing operations in Kidderminster and Southampton.

Specsavers’ supply chain director Sean Lawe said: “Regretfully, we have announced that Aston Labs, a Specsavers-owned facility providing optical lenses to stores in the UK and Ireland, is being considered for possible closure.

“The site in Birmingham employs 200 people who have unfortunately been told that their current roles are at risk of redundancy.

“If the closure went ahead, the proposal is that Aston Labs’ workload would be absorbed by a num- ber of other Specsavers manufacturing sites in the UK and Europe.

“This would involve ongoing investment in these sites to ensure that manufacturing in the UK continued to be an efficient and cost effective option for Specsavers, our partners and our customers.

“We have entered a period of collective consultation with those affected in order to discuss the proposals and whether redundancies can be avoided or mitigated.

“If there are any job losses, we will offer full redundancy packages and support including making every effort to offer alternative employment within the wider Specsavers business.

“We recognise that this is a difficult time for those affected and are working closely with everyone involved in the proposed changes.”

One affected employee who contacted the Post said: “After big investments earlier this year in the infrastructure, this decision is a total shock for all of us.”