"At the start of something big": Sir Roger Gale MP applauds the opening of SelectSpecs new shop in Westgate, Kent

-The Worshipful Mayor of Margate, Councillor Iris Johnston, officially opens new shop-

Online spectacles and sunglasses giant SelectSpecs celebrated its move onto the high street with a Grand Opening at its new shop in Westgate-on-Sea in Kent, on Friday 20 April, 2012. To honour the occasion Sir Roger Gale MP attended the event and The Worshipful Mayor of Margate, Councillor Iris Johnston, officially opened the premises, cutting the ribbon and speaking to staff and invited guests, which included numerous local shop and business owners who were able to browse in the shop and also receive free eye scans.

In a speech given at the event, Sir Roger Gale MP was keen to emphasise the significance of the shop opening in the context of the local business community. He said:

“It is up to all of us to try to support any new enterprise locally – the more good, small businesses there are today, the more good, large businesses there will be tomorrow. We are here at the start of something big."

SelectSpecs’ director Jason McMillan thanked Sir Roger Gale, the Worshipful Mayor of Westgate, Iris Johnston, and all the guests for their support and explained the motivation for expanding their online business offline, commenting:

“While the online model has long been a successful internet venture, SelectSpecs is now responding to customers wanting to try before they buy in person. Secondly, we know that we can make a big difference and impact on the high street – great value glasses for as low as £6 with no hidden cost. And, thirdly, as with everything SelectSpecs has done before we hope to go above and beyond others and that includes offering the latest in OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) eye-testing. This is a far more advanced eye test than that offered at most high street opticians as it enables a 3D imaging of the back of the eye that can be used for early diagnosis of any health conditions.

“We are headquartered in Westgate and have had customers turning up at our offices from as far as 60 plus miles away. Rather than having to turn them away from what is solely an administrative centre, we selected these centrally located premises to be our initial site, with Westgate’s beautiful beach and thriving café society on the doorstep, to attract customers to visit. The new shop is opposite the station offering convenience to customers visiting from further afield, including London, approximately an hour away. They can save money on their glasses, and given the attractions on offer nearby, may well be tempted to make a day of it.”