Look local: Derry investing in future

Lin Johnston, senior receptionist at Mooney & Scott opticians, says: ‘Derry is a very beautiful city. Its improved greatly since the troubles in the 1970s and has come a long way. There has been lots of recent growth in the city and investment in its infrastructure.’

Mooney & Scott, a family run business, has been in town for more than 60 years and has two optoms who share the week’s workload. It boasts a wide range of frames for all budgets because of Derry’s diverse demographics. ‘Plastics and acetates are very popular at the moment,’ says Johnston. ‘Some people still opt for the metal but in the main plastic is the most common. Round designs are also making a big comeback.’

The practice has a ‘loyal patient base’, which often stretches across generations. One thing that makes working in Derry different from some other parts of the country, says Johnston, is its community. ‘Despite the recent growth, the city has still kept its community roots. And you often see people in the streets who you know,’ she adds.