Well-known Gloucester business Norville has secured planning permission to move its manufacturing site out of Tredworth to Quedgeley.

Now owned by Bath-based Inspecs Group Plc after being rescued from administration in 2020, the lens manufacturer has been given the go-ahead to move from its existing premises on Magdala Road in Tredworth to a new site at Waterwells Business Park.

Formerly occupied by the Great British Card Company but now vacant, Norville will use the 45,000 sq ft facility on the corner of Waterwells Drive and Baird Road to store, distribute and manufacture optical lenses.

A stone's throw from Gloucestershire Constabulary's HQ, the warehouse building will also be used for research and development, allowing the business to expand as part of a five-year growth plan.

Norville has been operating in Gloucestershire since 1898 and currently employs 70 staff, all of which will be transferred to the new site.

In approving the change-of-use application, case officer Caroline Townley said: "The proposed change of use is considered acceptable in this commercial setting and will bring an empty unit back into use and also allow for the relocation and expansion of an existing local business."

In its latest trading statement released last month, Inspecs said it had increased manufacturing capacity by 70 per cent in 2020, to more than 8.5 million frames.

Robin Totterman, CEO of Inspecs said: "Despite what has been an extraordinary period for the business, we have maintained positive momentum in 2020 creating a strong platform for growth in 2021.

"Since our IPO in February 2020, the acquisition of Norville has created a well-balanced vertically integrated business serving both global retail chains and the independent optical market."

Inspecs purchase of Norville in 2020 was thought to be worth around £2.4million, which included the Magdala Road factory as well as stock, plant, intellectual property and contracts.