On Wednesday 18th of August from 1.00pm – 1.45pm, Summers Independent Optician will officially receive the coveted National Opticians of the Year award from the trade association, Optical Success Academy, in a ceremony at the practice: 407 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5AN. The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett, is expected to attend.
In October 2020, the owners of the business Stephen and Catherine Carr competed at the Optical Success Academy conference, with over 100 of the top independent opticians in the UK. Due to their amazing story of growth and innovative business practices they were crowned the winner of the Independent Optician Practice of the Year.
On Wednesday 18th of August the Director of Optical Success Academy Conor Heaney will travel to Summers Independent Optician to present them with their award and to recognise their achievements in the business community of Low Fell. Also on hand to acknowledge their achievement will be The Major of Gateshead Councillor Dot Burnett.
Summers Independent Optician was established in 1968 by Jack Summers, and the husband and wife team, Stephen and Catherine Carr, took over the practice in 2017. Not one to rest on their laurels, Stephen and Catherine have continued to evolve the practice and offer the most innovative eyecare and eyewear available.
Stephen says providing his clients with the best experience possible is his number one goal.
“A lot of people consider a trip to their Optician as something they have to do, rather than want to do. But we wanted to offer something different, so when we took over the practice our aim was to provide our clients with a much more personal and tailored approach.
Having an eye exam and choosing new eyewear shouldn’t feel like a hassle, so we’ve been working hard to create a Styling Opticians that offers our clients an experience they not only enjoy but are excited about.”
Over the last few years, the practice has been offering their clients the best eyewear the world has to offer. Following extensive research and buying trips to global eyewear trade fairs, Summers Independent Optician decided to make the practice all about unique eyewear design from independent niche eyewear designers.
“It is these small independent manufacturers who set the trends and are at the cutting edge of eyewear design.” Says Stephen. “We wanted to make the practice an optical boutique for our clients who wear glasses proudly and want to make a statement with their eyewear.”
Summers Independent Optician were recognised for offering their clientele something truly different in terms of eyewear style and a very personal customer experience.
The annual award from Optical Success Academy, an industry association consisting of the top independent opticians in the UK and Ireland, represents the best of the best. The future looks bright indeed for Summers Independent Optician.
Summers Independent Optician is located at 407 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5AN and is open Tuesday 10am-6pm, Wednesday to Friday 9am-6pm, and Saturdays 9am-4.30pm. For more information about the practice visit www.summersopticians.co.uk
