Since starting up the business on a ping-pong table in their spare room in 1983, Doug and Mary Perkins have gone on to turn Specsavers into a multi-national company, opening their first store in Guernsey only a year later and now offering affordable eyecare and hearing services across the globe.
Hi-Spec Lenses is the distribution centre of Specsavers, and it’s trusted Mowbray Workspace for a number of projects at its Kettering warehouse and office base.
“Having worked with many companies over a career spanning 35 years, it has been a privilege to work with Hi-Spec.
Everyone is helpful and friendly and the improvements they have made really enhance the working environment for all of their team. It's easy to see how they have been awarded a global accreditation as a 'Great Place to Work'.
We love being a part of their journey and look forward to the next project planned for later in the year.”
As well as refurbishing its toilet area and installing a First Aid room, Mowbray completed a Canteen Turnkey Project for the company in 2021, remodelling and refurbishing existing office and open space to create a canteen and food prep area together with a staff breakout and relaxation space (complete with a pool table, dart board, vending machines, and more).
In 2022, Hi-Spec Lenses turned to Mowbray again to completely redesign and renovate the whole of its first-floor office area.
The project involved the transformation of a 430m2 (4,626 sq ft) expanse to provide a more functional and pleasant workspace for staff to work in. It included the creation of collaboration and wellbeing zones, and refurbishing the existing boardroom, directors’ office and meeting room.
Mowbray replaced solid plasterboard with modern, fully glazed partitioning and glass doors to allow daylight to flood through and create a brighter and healthier work environment. Decorative (acoustic) screens were added to further partition areas as well as providing essential sound absorption.
Carpet tiles were replaced with a new two-tone design in grey, and Mowbray fully decorated the area, introducing accent walls in darker grey and duck egg tones, and a cork wall.
Mowbray supplied and installed desks from UK-based manufacturers Hawk Office Furniture which incorporate a cable management system – loved by IT departments – to allow for easy access to/and installation of computer equipment and carried out all the essential electrical alterations.
Mowbray also arranged for extensive planting within the office areas to add a natural feel which would enhance and promote workers’ wellbeing.
The project was completed in six weeks as planned, and to budget.
“Every project Mowbray has undertaken has been compliant and carried out professionally, on time, and on budget, by the entire Mowbray team. They operate cleanly and efficiently, which is why it’s always a pleasure to work with Mowbray.”
