Visible from the top of Beachy Head – Britain’s highest chalk sea cliff – sits the coastal town of Eastbourne.
Financed by the wealth of a prominent land owner, William Cavendish, the town grew into a popular seaside resort during the Victorian era and by the late 1800s had swelled from 4,000 to 35,000 residents in the space of 40 years.
With an £85million redevelopment of the local shopping centre currently under way, Victoria Neate, practice manager at Barracloughs the Opticians, says it is a fantastic time to be working in Eastbourne.
‘Eastbourne is such a lovely seaside town. We have such a pretty seafront with lots going on throughout the year [and] the extension will make a huge difference to our local shopping experience,’ says Neate.
Barracloughs was established in 1957, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. It has eight practices scattered around the South-East and, for this reason, Neate believes the business is a ‘real part of the community’ which delivers ‘the very best customer service’.
The practice receives a ‘wide variety’ of patients, including families who visit for regular eye health checks. Cataracts and macular changes are the most prevalent eye conditions in the area.
Ciaran Bird is a dispensing optician at SA Bott Opticians, another of Eastbourne’s independent clinics. Along with Andrew Durow, senior dispensing optician, Bird serves a ‘very loyal’ customer base. ‘We aim to provide a relaxed, friendly environment where you can have your eyes seen professionally without feeling rushed or pressured to make decisions,’ says Bird.
The practice, founded in 1962, stocks designer frames, such as Polo and Gucci. However, Bird admitted that mid-range styles like Di Marco, Lee Cooper and Raffaele tend to be more popular with patients.
Eastbourne is a ‘lively, busy town’ with ‘lots to do’, according to Katarzyna Rej, optometrist at Asda Opticians. Although the practice is one of several multiples in the locality, Rej says her team is always busy treating patients despite having opened its doors only 10 years ago.
Equipped with an array of eye care technology, Asda Opticians Eastbourne treats patients of all ages, but sees one group most frequently – the over 50s.
Like Rej, Martin East (pictured) of Specsavers Eastbourne is used to a full schedule as the optical director and his team utilise nine consulting rooms to treat a large volume of patients. ‘Eastbourne is a great place to work, with both the sea and the Sussex Downs walks on the doorstep,’ says East.
With over 35 years of experience, East ensures his team are able to recommend the most suitable style for a patient’s lifestyle. According to the director, the Kylie Minogue eyewear range has been a hit with locals, who like the ‘subtly elegant, feminine style’ of the frame.
Who’s in town
Total: 10
Independents: 5
Multiples: 5
Average costs
The price of an eye exam in Eastbourne ranged from free to £41.70, with an average cost of £29.
Population - see pie chart
Eastbourne 103,054 (ONS 2016)
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, East Sussex Optical Committee has secured a contract for Eastbourne in Cataract Post-op, Cataract Referral, Glaucoma Repeat Readings and Minor Eye Conditions Service.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Eastbourne is £282,352 (Zoopla) compared with a UK average of £223,257 (Land Registry, 2017)
- Eastbourne has an average salary of £20,972 (PayScale, 2017)
- In 2015, there were 2,060 people living with diabetic retinopathy (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool 2015)
- It is estimated that, by 2030, there will be 2,180 people living with cataracts in Eastbourne (RNIB)
Fact file
During World War II, Eastbourne was the most bombed seaside town in England. German planes returning from raids on London and Coventry would deposit any leftover shells over Eastbourne, using Beachy Head as their landmark.
In 2012, a group of 28 female gymnasts from Eastbourne broke the record for being the most people fitted in a modern Mini – beating their previous record of 27 set in 2011.
There have been over 70 recorded ship wrecks around Beachy Head. However, the actual figure is estimated to be a lot higher as many small ships did not need to be registered as vessels.