In real terms, the changes would see all of the chain’s stores have a “more rational” frame stock at any one given time, ensuring customers have access to its full frame range.

That in turn would see the current process used to supply different frames around the country become redundant, and as such, it will be gradually changed by the end of January 2021.

This new supply model will have an impact on the number of jobs in the company’s Guernsey warehouse operation, meaning up to 38 people are at risk of redundancy, with the possible loss of 28 local warehouse office and administrator roles.

During the course of the next month, while the pilot scheme is under review, Specsavers will undergo a consultation period with all the staff involved before a final decision whether to adopt the new frame supply process is made. If plans are implemented, redundancies would not take effect before June 2019.

“Following a sustained period of research and innovation to improve stores’ ability to showcase our extensive range of more than 1,000 frame styles, the resulting proposed operational change has led us to review our warehouse operations in Guernsey to enable a simpler approach to the process. This, regrettably, means that we have had to inform 38 people this morning that their current roles are at risk of being made redundant over a period of two and a half years.,” John Perkins, Joint CEO, said.


But he assured the proposals would not mean the end of warehouse operations in Guernsey and reaffirmed the group’s long-term commitment to the island and the continued growth of its business. 

“If the plans are implemented and redundancies cannot be avoided, we will offer loyalty bonuses for those who stay on until the completion of the proposed roll-out, alongside providing comprehensive support and generous redundancy packages. We will also make every effort to offer alternative employment within the wider Specsavers business, and in addition, plan to engage with a local recruitment company to seek out similar roles elsewhere in the island.

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

At present, when a customer chooses a frame in a Specsavers store, it is removed from the shelf to be fitted with their prescribed lenses, leaving a temporary gap in the Specsavers’ range on display, before a replacement frame is ordered and supplied from the La Villiaze warehouse to take its place.

Under the proposed new model, customers would have access to all of the frames whenever they visited Specsavers. This would mean that eventually, no individual frames would need to be sent from Guernsey because the new supply model would require frames to be sent to stores along with their lenses, which it is proposed would be done from Specsavers’ UK glazing labs.