A CARMARTHENSHIRE opticians has welcomed a new store manager after a woman who dedicated 22 years of her life to the store is moving on to pastures new.

Lorna Phillips, who’s been with Specsavers since leaving school in 1998, has played a crucial role in the development of both the Carmarthen and Ammanford stores.

She is handing over the reins of store manager to Andrea Jones, who will be leading a 16-strong team in Carmarthen.

Ms Jones previously worked in the hospitality industry and switched careers to join Specsavers in 2008, three years after the Ammanford store opened.

Ms Jones says: ‘When I first joined Specsavers I was looking for a new challenge, to learn new skills and build a career path with the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally.

‘But, as was the case in my previous work in hospitality, it was also really important for me to maintain contact with customers, to listen and adapt to their needs and to provide them with a first-class service with a smile.’

Commenting on the news, store director Kevin McCarthy says: ‘At Specsavers we put customer service front and centre which is why I had no hesitation in appointing Andrea as store manager when the chance arose.’

‘In the 13 years since she joined Specsavers she’s shown herself to maintain not only the highest professional standards but also is always 100 per cent client-focused.’

Previous store manager, Lorna Phillips, is herself now looking to change career and will be training to become a driving instructor.

Ms Phillips says: ‘As I embark on my own new adventure I look back on my time with the team in Ammanford with many good memories, but I know that both staff and customers will be in excellent hands with Andrea in charge.’

To book an eye test at the Ammanford or Carmarthen store, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/book/ammanford or www.specsavers.co.uk/book/carmarthen.