I just received an email from Specsavers informing me that the Benidorm branch will be closing:-'Following Specsavers Optical Group's decision to wind down their services in Spain, we are writing to inform you on 1 January 2025 the Specsavers store in Benidorm will no longer operate as Specsavers.

The store will continue to operate as an independent optician with the same extensive experience and strong reputation. Please be assured that other than the change in the store's name, things will remain very much the same. The store’s team will continue to serve you as normal and looking forward to continuing to provide eye tests, glasses, and other services.'

I assume 'wind down' means close down so I guess all other branches will be affected.

Anyway the Benidorm business will continue without the Specsavers connections and I assume the benefits.

Thats not fair, we were going to go in sometime in Feb and get our eyes done....
Might try to bring it forwards and get an appointment before Xmas..

Thanks for letting me know... I bet there will be queue longer than the bar that does a beer for a euro....

About a month ago had a test and bought new glasses at Benidorm branch. Very good service and all staff fully bilingual. Varifocal lens accurately fitted, including near and inter visions. Just over 200€. They sourced my lenses in Spain so the glasses were ready to collect in 5 days. Would still go back if they continue the level of service and price.

I think the worry is price - assume we currently benefit from 'economies of scale' of the Specsavers group - time will tell!

Why not try Direkt Optik in Moraira - far superior and cheaper (3 for the price of 1 - and you can share with Someone else)

"Specsavers Benidorm is closing........"

Can't see that myself.

Mainly because its almost an hours drive from us and would be a special trip.
We are in Benidorm a couple of times a week on average as we only live a few Km inland.

If we lived closer or went to Moraira on a regular basis then yep why not. But we dont

Specsavers is a franchise operation. Just because one branch chooses to go on its own should not affect the level of service and as an independent, they can offer a wider range of options.

I think a lot of 'UK' or 'English' businesses are suffering as many people finally come to realise the cost of dealing with them compared to shopping locally.

Case in point, my wife had extensive dental work done earlier this year by a Spanish dentist and the price was almost 50% of what the popular local 'English dentist quoted.
Both dentist and staff spoke perfect English and it was half the distance to travel to boot!

Yes agree in theory but always found Specsavers very reasonable - Free eye test (every 2 years) and glasses from 29€

Had a similar message concerning the branch in Calpe

Probably the same franchise...

All opticians in Spain are legally obliged to give free eye tests. They are not obliged to give you a lens prescription to take elsewhere. Maybe Specsavers is closing down its Spanish franchises—there are not actually that many of them. The UK branches are not under the same franchise agreements.

There are loads of good independent opticians in every town in Spain - there is nothing magical about Specsavers apart from the fact that non-Spanish speaking Expats assume it is a British operation because they recognise the name!

Exactly my point!

We all know folk who have been hers for years, speak not a word of Spanish, and very likely never even set foot in a Spanish bar or restaurant serving tapa!

A brand owner cannot force a franchisee to close their business, so it sounds to me like Spec Savers is just withdrawing its branding and support for the franchisee(s) in Spain, presumably because the cost of supporting them is more than the franchise fees can justify i.e. the business isn't profitable (enough).