A FORMER Crown Eyeglass employee is celebrating after his new optical manufacturers looks set to rise from the ashes of his former employer.

Fizal Mulla’s business will continue the legacy of one of Blackburn’s most well-known companies when he opens for business directly opposite his old employer next month.

Audley-born Mr Mulla was one of more than 65 employees who were made redundant when the firm closed down last month.

He took the plunge to set up Blackburn Optical Centre in Glenfield Industrial Estate with savings he made while working as an optical technician and dispenser for 30 years.

After he made a deal with Crown Eyeglass owner Joseph Lee to buy the company’s client records and some of the manufacturing equipment he received backing from Blackburn with Darwen Council to launch his company.

He was offered a £9,000 start-up grant from the council via the economic development company Regenerate Pennine Lancashire to open an on-site glasses manufacturing laboratory, eye-testing service and glasses shop that will employ four staff.

Mr Mulla said: “I heard that I was going to be made redundant and just decided to take the chance. I’ve invested a lot of money because I want to be able to continue to provide the local community with a similar service to the one they received with Crown Eyeglass over the years.

“I was looking for a premises and I found this one on the opposite side of the car park to Crown Eyeglass and I thought it must be fate.”

“I hope that if everything goes well I will be able to take on more staff in the future because people need to be given the chance to work.”

Dave Harling, former executive member for regeneration who held his post while Crown Eyeglass was still in business, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that he’s managed to do this.

“Instead of him being unemployed he’s stuck his neck out and taken a risk and I wish him the best luck in the world.

“I’m glad that in this instance the council has been able to help him out along the way by putting him in touch with members of staff from Regenerate Pennine Lancashire.”