A LOCAL couple from Milngavie who are partners together in business as well as life are retiring after 18 years at the helm of an opticians in Milngavie, providing professional eyecare to generations of people across the town.
Caroline and Charles Kinsey, directors at Specsavers on Douglas Street will be handing over the reins of the business to the next generation. Ophthalmic Director and daughter, Sarah Vallance, who currently works alongside her parents as well as existing directors Jonathan Dry and Deborah Galloway.
Caroline and Charles proudly opened the Specsavers Milngavie store together in 2008, and the business has gone from strength to strength, including overseeing the impressive £150,000 investment in new facilities and clinical services in 2025 that significantly reduced waiting times for eye tests, cutting the queue from five days to just two days.
Since the locally owned and run store opened, it has built a strong reputation for clinical excellence within the Milngavie community.
Reflecting on her years of service at Specsavers, Caroline says: ‘My time with the team at Specsavers Milngavie has given me so many cherished memories. It’s been fantastic to see the store grow and the team here deliver incredible customer service to the generations of loyal customers we have in the area.
‘I’d like to thank those very customers for their support and patronage over the years.’
Charles adds: ‘We wish our daughter Sarah, and Jonathan and Deborah, all the best and I’m certain that Specsavers Milngavie will continue to be the caring opticians and audiologists it’s proudly known as.’
Furthermore Sarah, who has been providing expert eye care with the Milngavie team for the past 18 years, added: ‘Specsavers in Milngavie has been a cornerstone of the town centre for nearly two decades now and we’re excited and dedicated to ensure that the future of the business goes from strength to strength.
‘My parents spent years shaping our remarkable team, who I know put their all into ensuring that everyone who steps through our doors receives the very best care and welcoming service our store has become renowned for. I hope I can have the same impact on any new team members that come through the door.’
Specsavers’ Milngavie is located at 20 Douglas Street, and is easily reachable by car, foot, or public transport.
For more information about the Specsavers Milngavie store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/milngavie or call 0141 955 3080.
