Prestonpans’ only opticians has closed its doors for good meaning residents will have to leave the town for eye appointments.

The Courier understands that Montgomery Optometrists on the town’s High Street closed its doors at the end of 2023 leaving the town without an opticians.

The closure was discussed at the February meeting of Prestonpans Community Council, with members expressing their disappointment that another business has left the town.

Montgomery Optometrists is an East Lothian-based optometrists founded by Karen and Brian Montgomery almost 30 years ago.

The business has branches in Musselburgh, Haddington and Tranent alongside the Prestonpans branch.

The closure will now mean that the nearest opticians for Prestonpans residents will be in Tranent or Musselburgh.

Speaking to the Courier, DJ Johnston-Smith, chair of Prestonpans Community Council, said: “It is obviously very disappointing, we didn’t hear anything until after it was closed.

“It’s sad because it is our only opticians and I think it was used well by a lot of elderly people in the town who will now have to go elsewhere.

“I am not sure how busy it was on a daily basis but it is of course sad to see it close.

“The big thing is that it is another empty building in Prestonpans which we just don’t want to see. We are working to try and add more life to the town and we don’t like to see empty buildings.

“Hopefully something goes in soon.”

Montgomery Optometrists has been contacted for comment.