Look local: Eye care in the Potteries

Stoke-on-Trent was forged in 1910 when six towns in the area banded together for economic purposes to create the city we know today. It was the first amalgamation of its type in England’s urban history and remained the only one for another half century.

John Hollins, optometrist owner of The Specs Place, has spent his entire optical career in Stoke-on-Trent. ‘It’s a great place,’ he says. ‘I love the people, they’re all very normal and down to earth.’

Hollins says each of the towns has retained its own distinct character and ‘it doesn’t feel like one big city, it feels like six towns still’. Because of this, he says opticians have the benefit of drawing on their local catchment area while having possibilities to expand into new ones. ‘But your local catchment area is always more loyal,’ he adds.