Member Article

Move to new premises marks start of further expansion for local optician

The Village Optician, a family run, local, independent Optician, founded in 2003 by Optometrist brothers Michael and Stephen Peart, is expanding with a move to new premises near the Arnison Centre, and has plans to recruit three new full-time members of staff.

This latest move marks another phase in the firm’s expansion since their first Opticians’ practice was established at Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe 16 years ago. There are now four shops spread throughout Durham and Darlington.

After outgrowing the premises on Alnwick Road, Newton Hall, The Village Optician has opened its new unit on Finchale Road, Newton Hall, next door to the new Bell’s Fish and Chip Restaurant.

Providing legal assistance to support the move, Durham City’s leading law firm, Swinburne Maddison LLP (Swinburne Maddison), has come full circle after assisting some ten years ago when The Village Optician moved into its existing Newton Hall premises.

The law firm, which has acted for The Village Optician on all their leases, worked on the preparation of the new lease and a licence for alterations which has resulted in the customisation of the space with new signage, fixtures and fittings to accommodate a wider range of frames.

Commenting on the instruction, commercial property partner Victoria Walton, said: “It is great to see The Village Optician expand in to bigger premises due to sustained growth over the last ten years and with plans for further recruitment, which is good news for the local economy.

“While we have a reputation for working on some of the major commercial deals that break in the region, we are also well known for our comprehensive range of services for smaller, independent businesses, just like The Village Optician, which play an important role in our business.

“Our local knowledge, experience in this kind of work and, of course, our knowledge of the client and their business (from acting for them previously) combined to make us ideally placed to help with this latest move. We wish them every success in their new unit and trust we will be their first choice in future property matters.”

Business owner, Stephen Peart said, “Our focus on providing a friendly, personal service, together with an exciting range of spectacle frames and technologically advanced lenses, are factors which have led to the success of The Village Optician.”

Michael Peart, co-owner, added, “The new unit is in an excellent location. It is approximately three times the size of our last one, which means that we can expand our range of frames. We source many of our frames from international trade shows that we visit at least twice each year, as we are passionate about finding the best styles and colours for our clients from some amazing frame designers. We are proud to offer something a bit different to the ‘chain’ Opticians. The extra space will also enable us to improve our clients’ overall experience, with more space for dedicated frame consultations, as well as an additional eye examination room.”

Stephen finished by saying, “The move also means that we will need more staff; initially, at least three more full-time members of staff, including an extra Optometrist. As we grow into the unit, we hope to create even more jobs. It’s an exciting time for us, and we look forward to welcoming both existing and future clients to the new premises.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Abbie Osguthorpe .