Specsavers store in County Square is open for appointments only 

Specsavers

T: 01233 629999​

W: www.specsavers.co.uk/ashford​

Map Reference: 47

Specsavers services in County Square is available by appointment only

Specsavers Ashford is still open to care for your sight and hearing. Current guidance allows you to leave your home for eye and hearing tests, and they have all the necessary safety measures in place to keep you safe in store. Find out more at specsavers.co.uk/care

The government has recognised that opticians and audiologists provide essential health care services. This means that Specsavers will continue to keep their doors open to the public and offer a full breadth of services to the local community, including:

• Comprehensive eye examinations
• Hearing tests and hearing consultations
• Home eye examinations for people with a physical or mental disability who are unable to leave their home
• Contact lens consultations
• Enhanced optical services for people experiencing any eye problems
• Frame repairs and the provision of new glasses
• Hearing aid repairs and the provision of new devices
• Purchase of vision care products, such as an anti-fog lens solution for glasses wearers through to dry eye drops

Specsavers will also continue to offer its remote services for people who are self-isolating, vulnerable or unable to leave their home. These services include:

• RemoteCare – a free nationwide consultation service offering advice and care via video and telephone link
• Online shopping – glasses and contact lenses can be bought online with a current prescription
• Ask The Expert – a Facebook group designed to give people access to professionals seven days a week, who can answer questions about general eye and hearing health concerns

Store director Robert Marsden says: 'This is such a difficult time for everyone and we understand that customers may have concerns about coming into store. We want to reassure them that it is safe to go ahead and book an appointment or come in as scheduled.

'As providers of an essential health service, we have played a key role in looking after people's eye and hearing health throughout the pandemic and are pleased that we can continue to do so, while also playing our part in relieving some of the strain on our partners in the NHS.'

Specsavers has various safety measures in place, including restrictions on the number of customers allowed in store at any one-time, social distancing, and bank card instead of cash payments, where possible.

Robert adds: 'We remain vigilant with our safety measures to guarantee the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our customers and our colleagues. We have adapted our ways of working so we can remain open to serve the public's health needs and every store is adhering to strict government guidelines to ensure customer and colleague safety remains paramount.'

In line with NHS recommendations, Specsavers colleagues use personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the stores, wear face masks and other PPE during tests, and all testing equipment and frames are thoroughly sanitised before and after each use. Customers are also asked to request an appointment in advance by phone or online through the Specsavers website to help manage social distancing and minimise time spent in store.

Stores in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland currently remain open for all eye and hearing needs. Specsavers will adhere to each country's industry guidance if and when changes to local rules are made.

To find out more information, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores