Specsavers in Macclesfield celebrates two 20-year staff milestones
LONG-SERVING colleagues Nicola and Kelly mark two decades of dedication to regional eye care
Specsavers in Macclesfield is celebrating a remarkable milestone as two of its much loved team members, Kelly Webster and Nicola Hughes, each mark 20 years of service at the store.
Both women began their journeys at the Macclesfield store in January 2006 and have gone on to build long, fulfilling careers, playing a vital role in the growth of the business and the care it provides to the local community.
Kelly, who started out as a part-time optical assistant, has progressed through the business to become store manager. After being promoted to assistant manager in 2016, she stepped into her current role in 2019, where she now leads a team of 40 colleagues.
Reflecting on her time at the store, Kelly said:
“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved over the past 20 years. What’s kept me here is the team and the fact that even after all this time, there are always new challenges. I love the family feel within the store and creating a positive, well-run environment where both customers and colleagues have a great experience.”
Nicola joined the business initially as a locum contact lens optician in 2005, becoming a permanent employee in January 2006. With a career in optics spanning nearly four decades, Nicola brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked across the UK in both clinical and management roles.
Also a qualified dispensing optician, Nicola is passionate about the life-changing impact contact lenses can have on customers of all ages. One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is fitting children with contact lenses and seeing the confidence it brings them.
Nicola said:
“Contact lenses really do change peoples’ lives. From improving confidence to practical everyday benefits, it’s incredibly rewarding. One of my proudest moments was teaching a young person to insert and remove lenses using only one arm. Seeing the transformation in their confidence is something I’ll never forget.”
Nicola has also played a key role in developing future talent, supervising trainee opticians and supporting colleagues through professional qualifications. In December 2023, she was shortlisted for Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year at the Opticians Awards in London, a proud moment she credits to the support of the Macclesfield team.
During Kelly and Nicola’s tenures, the Macclesfield business has undergone significant transformation. What began as a small practice with three test rooms and around 15 colleagues has grown into a modern, spacious store offering optical and hearing services, with seven test rooms, following a major relocation in 2019.
The store’s directors paid tribute to both colleagues and their contributions. Angharad Butler, co-owner of Specsavers Macclesfield, said:
“Reaching 20 years of service is an incredible achievement, and we are immensely proud of both Kelly and Nicola. They have each made a lasting contribution to Specsavers Macclesfield through their professionalism, dedication and genuine care for customers and colleagues alike.”
“Kelly’s progression from optical assistant to store manager is a fantastic example of career development within the business, while Nicola’s clinical expertise, mentorship and passion for contact lens care have had a hugely positive impact on patients and the wider team. Together, they embody the values of Specsavers and play a vital role in making our store what it is today.”
Both Kelly and Nicola say it is the people, the team spirit, and the opportunity to continue learning that have kept them at Specsavers Macclesfield for two decades.
Specsavers Macclesfield is located at Unit 2/3, Mill Street Mall, Grosvenor Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6AJ and is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Sundays from 9am to 5pm.
To book an appointment or speak to a member of the team at Specsavers Macclesfield, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/macclesfield or call 01625 501111.