Bayfields aims for 50 as it acquires family opticians

Leeds-based Bayfields Opticians, which currently has five branches, said the acquisition means it is on target to meet its plan to have 50 outlets by 2025.

The deal will see the four-strong existing team at Patterson Opticians, based on Wakefield’s Northgate, remain in position, taking the total number of employees at Bayfields from 27 to 31.

Bayfields Opticians, which now has an annual turnover of more than £2m, was launched in 2004 by optometrist and managing director Royston Bayfield.

Mr Bayfield said the company is focused on making further acquisitions in Yorkshire.

“I would quite like to make a really strong Yorkshire brand,” said Mr Bayfield.

Shulmans commercial solicitors’ corporate lawyer Marcus Armstrong acted for Bayfields Opticians on the deal, while Roy Cusworth of Beaumont Legal in Wakefield acted for Patterson Opticians.

Mr Bayfield said: “We are delighted to have acquired Patterson Opticians, which is a well respected practice.

“Its ethos and attitude towards the customer experience is very similar to ours and the practice’s location in the centre of Wakefield takes us into a new geographical area. Our plan is to continue to acquire suitable businesses over the coming months and we look forward to working with the team at Shulmans to help facilitate the process.”

Bayfields now has premises in Headingley, Yeadon, Pontefract, Wakefield and at the University of Leeds.

Mr Bayfield said: “We are already looking to take on more people in our existing branches because of growth and as we acquire we will look to take on more people as well.”

He said that Bayfields Opticians is currently recruiting.

Mr Bayfield added: “We have very strong values and everything we do revolves around those values.”

Patterson Opticians has been established for 60 years, spanning two generations of the Patterson family.

Even though the business has sold, Andrew Patterson will continue to work in the practice on a part-time basis “to ensure smooth handover to clients”.