Once the starting point for early voyages of exploration to the New World, Bristol has long been seen as an important port city. Over time it has transitioned from industrial port to a multi-faceted economy offering plenty of creative media and high tech jobs. This year it was named the UK’s most desirable location in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide thanks to its combination of ‘impressive schools, buzzing culinary scene and community spirit.’
Independent practice Lunar Optical is situated on the UK’s longest road of independent shops, Gloucester Road. Owners Jill Sunderland and Pam Eastman (pictured below) try to stand out from their competition by stocking only niche frames. Sunderland says: ‘We have such a wide range of lovely and unusual frames. Salt, Etnia and Blackfin are all very popular as they offer a combination of quality and quirky which is an interesting style that our community demands.’
As well as appealing to the fashion-conscious, Lunar Optical tries to play its part in being eco-friendly. Eastman says: ‘Our customer base is very environmentally aware so trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible is a constant challenge but one we relish. We have earned ourselves a reputation for offering excellent customer service and people really trust us to find just the right frame which some of them have searched months or even years for.’
Jonathan Best took over Marian Blake Opticians 18 months ago and has focused on modernising the practice. He says: ‘The practice needed a lot of turning around and updating. I’ve introduced online booking forms which have proved to be popular and we’re looking at potentially getting an app.’
Best wants to use technology not just to help his existing patients but increase his future patient base. He says: ‘Patients who recommend to others get a free box of chocolates. I’ve got an aim to get the most Google ratings in Bristol, currently we’re on 15 and I want at least 30 by the end of the year. At the end of sight tests I give patients a card with how to do a Google review on it.’
Like many independents, Best is a self-proclaimed ‘one man band’ trying to fill the roles of HR and marketing as well as an optometrist. ‘We also open late some nights, it doesn’t make any money but provides continuity for those who would struggle to reach us at other times,’ Best adds.
Owner of Bramley Pope Opticians Phillipa Bramley also uses technology to her advantage as a way of keeping patients coming through the door. She says: ‘Social media keeps our visibility high. I have no buying power and can’t afford to do special offers so as an independent, social media is vital to keep people interested.’
Who’s in town?
Total: 15
Independents: 12
Multiples: 3
Average costs
Prices of an eye examination range from £27 to £41. The average cost is £34.
Population - see pie chart
Bristol population: 449,300
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, Avon Local Optical Committee has secured a contract for NHS Bristol CCG in OHT monitoring.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Bristol is £287,519 (Rightmove, 2016) compared with an average of £216,750 for England and Wales (Land Registry, 2016).
- NHS expenditure on vision problems in Bristol per person is £73, compared with the UK average of £89 (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool 2015).
- 2,240 patients live in Bristol with late stage wet AMD and 1,090 with dry AMD (RNIB).
- There are about 3,410 people living in Bristol who have cataract, 3,540 people with glaucoma and 24,000 with diabetes. Some 8,940 patients have diabetic retinopathy according to RNIB figures.
Fun facts
Ribena was invented in Bristol at the National Fruit and Cider institute.
The first bungee jump happened in Bristol on the Clifton Suspension Bridge on April 1, 1979.
The first bar of chocolate was created in Bristol in 1847 by Joseph Fry, who worked out how to make solid bars from what had previously only been a hot drink.
Famous Bristolians include graffiti artist Banksy (his work is pictured above), whose work is pictured, and Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park.
Bristol hosts an annual International Balloon Fiesta with more than 150 hot air balloons from across the globe.
Bristol has created its own currency.
