HIGH street optician Dolland & Aitchison will save around £150,000 a year on its 300-vehicle fleet following a sale and leaseback deal with Lease Plan. Dolland & Aitchison historically bought its solus Rover fleet outright, but decided this was no longer cost-effective following the VAT changes to leasing introduced in 1995. It will, however, maintain its Rover policy. Lease Plan won the contract with its Open Calculation product in competition from 11 other leasing companies.

'Dollond & Aitchison is now in a win/win situation,' said Steve Dunn, Lease Plan's commercial director. 'If there is a shortfall in the agreed vehicle price when we dispose of the cars, then Lease Plan will absorb the difference, but if the vehicles' residual values are greater than expected then we return the difference to Dolland & Aitchison.'