Interview: Waterside 50 not out

Mike Hale: Congratulations on reaching 50 years in business. When and how did Waterside come into existence?

Chris Smith: Having trained as a technician at a larger lab in the Southampton area, in 1972 my father, Ray Smith, took the decision to set up his own small business so he could offer a more personalised service to local opticians. It was initially located in Eastleigh, very close to Southampton airport.

MH: What services did the business provide at the start?

CS: In the early years, the business just did glazing and repairs with lenses sourced from various manufacturers.

MH: How did the lab evolve in terms of the practices it served?