Member Article

Opticians raise glasses to celebrate 90th birthday

Local independent opticians Cooper & Barr have raised their glasses to celebrate 90 years in the optometry business.

First opening its doors in 1925 on Grange Road in Middlesbrough town centre, Cooper & Barr now have three practices across the region in Stokesley, Sedgefield and Coulby Newham serving over 25, 000 patients with exciting expansion plans in the pipeline.

As a family-run business spanning over three generations, William and Evelyn Cooper opened their first practice 90 years ago. The practice then moved to Borough Road where its iconic marble frontage with a neon sign was quite the sight in the 1930s.

The business then became Cooper & Flower in the 1970s before changing to Cooper & Barr in 2012.

“We are very proud to be celebrating 90 years in the business and I am delighted that my family have been involved for all ninety of those years” said Nicola Cooper-Heenan, co-owner of Cooper & Barr.

To sit alongside their milestone birthday, Cooper & Barr have undergone a rebrand of their business encapsulating the company’s new strapline ‘Daring Vision since 1925.’

Showcasing the new brand direction, without dismissing any of the heritage, they are proud to give a little extra care to customers - from the in-depth approach of the clinical staff to the carefully curated range of exclusive designer frames.

Going from strength to strength, the business has successfully developed a large and loyal customer base due to their extensive eye examinations and as stockists of major brands including Tiffany & Co., Prada and Michael Kors.

Nicola added: “It is a great achievement for the business and without the continued support from our local communities we would not be able to celebrate such a significant milestone. We are already looking forward to the next 90 years – wherever they may take us – with excitement and enthusiasm.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chantal Taylor .