The enigma around the Specsavers van haplessly "parked" on a pop-up bollard in an "epic blunder" has been solved - after the firm was teased online.
People in Edinburgh who saw the vehicle stranded on the bollard on the weekend joked the driver "really should have gone to Specsavers" as they shared pictures online. Aidan McNelis, who was visiting the Scottish capital for a break, said: "I looked for damage so I don't think anyone could have got hurt. I'm sure there would have been an awkward conversation at work for the driver though."
Others saw a poorly "parked" van in Merseyside. However, there were no repercussions for any employee - because it has emerged today Specsavers left the vans there itself as part of its latest ad campaign. The firm said it found the furore on social media, including X and TikTok, funny.
One TikTok user shared a hilarious video of the parking fail in Edinburgh, with the caption: “Someone’s getting fired." Passers-by chuckled at the gaffes, writing online: "Should’ve gone to Specsavers."
But Victoria Clarke, marketing services director for the opticians, said: "Shoppers knew the vans 'should’ve' parked somewhere else. The most eagle-eyed also spotted our branding – the not-so-subtle giveaway that this was part of a nationwide campaign of marketing activity to coincide with our latest TV advert. We can finally reveal… it was us."
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Aidan, a father of three, was amused to see the stranded van (Aidan McNelis / SWNS)
Social media went into meltdown after photographs were shared online (Aidan McNelis / SWNS)Some eagle-eyed social media sleuths had the right theory early on. One X user posted: "Saw the iconic Specsavers van, which the more I think about it, the more I believe this is a subtle, but yet effective, advertisement."
Another shared: "I had to take this pic from a bus in motion but.. there’s a Specsavers van lifted off the ground by one of those automatic bollards it has parked over! This has to be a publicity stunt right? The universe couldn’t be this perfect?"
The vehicle in Edinburgh had been lifted up by a submerged bollard and had its hazard lights on to warn other road users. A sign next to it stated: "CAUTION. Automatic bollards in operation. NO PARKING."
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