An opticians business which began with three practices has now opened its seventh.

Valli Opticians, which was launched in 2005 in Huddersfield, has acquired Barbara Watson Eyecare in Outwood, Wakefield.

Moin Valli, managing director of the Valli Group, said: “We are delighted to announce our seventh practice. Barbara Watson Eyecare is a fantastic set up situated in the heart of a lovely community. Above all this practice has modern technology and delivers excellent patient care – a perfect addition to our independent, family run, Valli Group of Opticians.”

He said: “Barbara had a number of people interested in buying the business and we are delighted that she chose us. We are also thrilled that she has decided to stay practicing here for three days a week. We look forward to meeting all Barbara Watson Eyecare patients very soon.

“The staff will all be staying on so patients can rest assured they will continue to see the same friendly faces each time they visit.”

Set up by Moin and his wife Rachel, the award-winning Valli Opticians started as a chain of three optical practices with eight staff and in eight years has more than doubled in size to include nine businesses – seven of which are optical practices.

The group owns the Valli Opticians practices in Lockwood, Honley, Meltham and Mytholmroyd alongside SD Haigh Opticians in Almondbury and Mamtora Opticians in Hebden Bridge.

They expanded further in 2013 to include Valli Home Eye Care, a domiciliary service for elderly and disabled patients, and Valli Corporate Eye Care, which specialises in providing bespoke eye care services for medium to large companies.

The company has a strong community focus and Mr Valli regularly delivers talks to schools

and groups about the importance of eye health.

In the past 18 months, the company has won three awards.

It was Company of the Year in the Association of Optometry Awards and won the Business Excellence category in the National Optician Awards. Mr Valli was also named Young Business Person of the Year in the Examiner Business Awards.