For Businesses & Organisations Optical Sector

We have over 30 years' experience of working with businesses across the optical sector, including assisting with sales, acquisitions, franchise arrangements, investments, partnerships and shareholders’ agreements.

Trusted business advisers to the optical sector

Today, the optical sector is worth billions of pounds globally, with millions benefitting from the continual medical and scientific advances being made in the profession. That being said, the sector is facing extraordinary challenges, not least as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, we are seeing a trend of consolidation in the industry develop and take hold in Scotland.

MacRoberts’ considerable experience across the optical sector, and knowledge of the unique challenges businesses face, make us the ideal corporate partner for you.

Award-winning legal advice

Our award-winning Corporate Finance team regularly advises businesses acquiring optometry businesses across Scotland. We understand how consolidators operate and where we can negotiate the best deal possible. Our lawyers are solutions-driven with a focus on getting the deal done on schedule.

As a full-service law firm, we regularly advise optometry businesses in relation to buying and selling practices, general corporate governance and secretarial matters, data protection law, corporate structuring and incorporation of practices, employment issues, succession planning and regulatory matters.

Our recent experience & expertise in the optical sector includes:

Mackie

Assisted the sellers in the sale of shares in Mackie Specstore Limited and Mackie Eyecare Limited. Our clients sold 50% of the shares in each entity and entered into a joint venture shareholder agreement with the purchaser, the Hakim Group, which owns over 300 opticians across the UK.

Black & Lizars

Acted for Black & Lizars Limited, one of Scotland’s most renowned optometrists and audiology service specialists, in relation to the sale of 10 selected branches to optical and hearing service provider Duncan and Todd Limited

Optician Branches

We assisted in the purchase of optician branches in Peterhead, Turiff and Banchory

Brian Michie Opticians

Advised Brian Michie Opticians on corporate and property aspects in relation to the purchases of optometrist units in Motherwell and Airdrie from Black & Lizars Limited.

Kerry Taher

Acted for Kerry Taher in the purchase of optician businesses in Bridge of Weir (owned by New Vision Opticians Limited) and Greenock (owned by Black & Lizars) Limited.

Related Services

  • Corporate Finance

    Award-winning corporate and commercial lawyers to businesses across Scotland, the UK and overseas.

    Corporate Finance
  • Healthcare

    Our Healthcare team comprises leaders in their respective fields, who have established excellent reputations in the healthcare sector and have in-depth knowledge of the legal and commercial challenges faced by our clients.

    Healthcare
  • Banking & Finance

    We advise clients across the entire range of mainstream finance legal work required by the Scottish market and are regularly instructed by banks and financial institutions, borrowers and investors to assist in a wide range of matters.

    Banking & Finance
  • Commercial Property

    Our award-winning property solicitors have a wealth of experience and practical knowledge acquired through decades of working on high-profile real estate projects.

    Commercial Property
  • Employment

    The longest-established specialist Employment team in Scotland, praised for our ‘partner-led advocacy’ in Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

    Employment
  • Data Protection & Cyber Security

    Our team advises clients on the full range of data protection matters to ensure your business is fully compliant with the law.

    Data Protection & Cyber Security

Our Awards & Accreditations

  • In 2016, we were one of the first law firms in Scotland to become accredited Living Wage employers.

  • Shortlisted for Firm of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2022.

  • Winners of Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year and Family Law Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020.

  • Our Real Estate team won the Property Team of the Year Award at the British Legal Awards in 2018.

  • Winner of SME of the Year at the Scottish SME Awards 2017, hosted by Scottish Business Insider.

  • Highly Commended for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016.

  • In 2019, MacRoberts achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a UK Government entry-level information security standard. 

  • MacRoberts holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management, the most widely recognised quality management system standard in the world.

  • Iso 14001 2015 Environmental Management

    MacRoberts holds the ISO14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness.

  • MacRoberts holds the ISO27001:2013 certification for Information Security, an internationally recognised security gold standard.

  • Business continuity is a critical element of the Business Management System at MacRoberts and we hold full accreditation with the ISO 22301:2019.

  • MacRoberts is a member of IP Inclusive, a network of intellectual property professionals working to make our community more equal, diverse and inclusive.

  • We are active members of the PRIME Programme – an organisation that focuses on ensuring a career in law is open to talent from all economic and social backgrounds.

  • MacRoberts supports the Scottish Business Pledge, a values-led partnership between Government and business that is based on boosting productivity and competitiveness through fairness, equality and sustainable employment.

  • We are supporters of the Partnership for Change, a network of organisations and individuals who share a common ambition to improve diversity on boards and in senior leadership.

  • We are a member of the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), a UK-based not-for-profit organisation which helps employers build and maintain diverse teams and inclusive cultures through our membership, training, and consultancy services.

  • MacRoberts was awarded enei's Silver TIDEMark for 2023. TIDE is enei's self-assessment evaluation and benchmarking tool which measures an organisation's overall approach and progress on diversity and inclusion.

  • MacRoberts is a Disability Confident employer, and are committed to disability equality across our firm.

  • MacRoberts fully supports flexible working practices and supports family-friendly working practices.

  • In 2022, MacRoberts received a Bronze Award in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index for our commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the workplace.

  • MacRoberts is a longstanding member of Scotland Food & Drink, the leading trade association for Scotland's food and drink industry.

  • MacRoberts is an Associate Member of SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association.