More room for eye and hearing care
The Corn Lane store has nine optical consulting rooms and five diagnostic rooms, alongside two rooms dedicated to audiology. It also provides a separate area for contact lenses and a dry eye therapy room. The additional space makes the store more accessible and practical for customers and staff.
The expansion was announced in January 2026 by Estama, the shopping center's asset manager. Estama outlined plans for an approximately 6,500-square-foot regional flagship store and described the investment as a major commitment by a national retail and healthcare brand.
Before moving to 6-7 Corn Lane, postcode NN8 1EZ, the store operated at 26 Spring Lane, postcode NN8 1EY, within the same shopping center, according to OpeningTimesIn.uk.
Founder and mayor join the opening
A green-and-white balloon arch decorated the store for the celebration, which included a visit from the Specsavers Big Ear mascot. Wellingborough Mayor Councillor Sylvia Erskine joined Perkins and the store team as the new premises were officially opened to the community.
Perkins said: "It was a pleasure to join the team to celebrate the opening of their new store. Congratulations to the store directors, Rikesh Chauhan, Wayne Barry and Irfan Makda, and the rest of the Wellingborough team."
"The new store looks fantastic," Erskine said. "It's great to see this investment in Wellingborough, giving the team more space to provide the best eye and ear care for the local community."
Store director Rikesh Chauhan thanked those who attended: "Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the opening and made it such a success. We're excited to be in our new home and look forward to welcoming customers through the doors. Please do pop in and see us soon."
Separate regeneration plans for the shopping center
The Swansgate Shopping Centre also features in a broader town center regeneration framework. On August 11, 2026, North Northamptonshire Council's executive approved the ten-year Wellingborough Town Centre Masterplan, which includes proposals to transform the center into a mixed-use destination with flexible hubs for working, shopping and living.
The council has confirmed that the masterplan remains unfunded. Delivering it will require external funding and partnership working.
