EYE-CARE giants Specsavers are opening a third branch in Bolton - inside the Sainsbury’s supermarket at Bolton Shopping Park.

The shop joins the stores in Victoria Square and Middlebrook Retail Park, and will create five new jobs.

It’s being launched by experienced industry duo, Matthew Thornton and Robert Ogg, and will be opened on Wednesday November 28 by the Mayor of Bolton, councillor Elaine Sherrington.

Mr Ogg said: “Our new opening will give us the extra capacity we need to continue to expand our eye care, eyewear and audiology offerings and, indeed, our team.

“We’re delighted to be bringing new team members on board and to be offering our customers and local residents another way of connecting with us here in Bolton.”

Specsavers will become the second opticians to open in a town centre supermarket in the past few months, following M&S Opticians opening in-store at Marks & Spencer in August.

Local independent opticians Cloughs, based on Newport Street, said they welcome the competition that these new supermarket-based stores bring with them.

A spokesman said: “In the past, we may have viewed it quite differently, but actually welcome the competition.

“Since the continued rise of multiples, we’ve changed the way we operate. Rather than catering to a similar base to Specsavers, et al, we’ve decided upon a different route by offering a more bespoke service.

“If people want run-of-the-mill, then they’ll always visit one of the multiples. If not, however, we’re here for them.