Lincoln is the county town of Lincolnshire, situated in a gap in the Lincoln Cliff, within the East Midlands.
The city is informally divided into two parts – the ‘uphill’ historical quarter featuring Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle and the Medieval Bishop’s Palace and ‘downhill’, comprising the city centre by the River Witham. A narrow, cobbled pedestrian street called Steep Hill connects the two zones, passing through an archway known as Stonebow. Lincoln is home to one of the UK’s fastest growing modern universities, an award-winning archaeology museum called the Collection and a popular Christmas Market.
Centrally located on the high street is independent, family-run Dixons Opticians, which, at over 100 years of age, is the oldest practice in Lincoln.
Managing director and dispensing optician, Jon-Paul Hemmings, who runs Dixons and a second practice in nearby Sleaford, says the store attracts people of all ages: ‘Our core clientele is the working adult looking for a high level of service, modern technology and quality product. We have a loyal patient base and lots of patients come in on recommendation.’
The practice offers an in-house glazing lab, OCT scanner, expertise on dry eye treatments and predominantly supplies Essilor lenses: ‘We have the Visioffice bespoke lens measuring instrument, which allows you to personalise to each individual patient,’ says Hemming. Popular frame styles include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Tom Ford and Tiffany as well as designers such as Silhouette and Reykjavik Eyes.
The independent, Martin Smith Opticians is located in the heart of the city centre and was established in 2004 by Martin and Hazel Smith. Alongside working in practice, Dr Smith, who qualified with a professional doctorate in optometry in 2014, carries out research on cataract, macular characteristics and lens opacities – many of his patients are involved in the research.
The practice offers a range of services, including a personalised style and lens consultation and a wide selection of frames. All dispensing opticians are fully qualified with a vast knowledge of an extensive range of lens options. ‘Etnia Barcelona is a range of frames that we are proud to offer as they use unique colour combinations and high fashion styles that are exciting to wear,’ says Rachel Rossington, assistant manager at the practice.
Customers, from families to professionals, are treated to regular and popular event days in the practice to showcase the Etnia Barcelona range. ‘We devote ourselves to making people feel excited about eyewear. The people of Lincoln are clearly unafraid to try new styles and express themselves through eyewear and we think that is marvellous,’ adds Rossington.
Who’s in town
Total: 13
Independents: 8
Multiples: 5
Average costs
Prices of an eye examination range from free to £73. The average cost is £30.19
Population - see pie chart
Lincoln 97,065 (ONS 2016)
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, Lincolnshire Local Optical Committee has secured a contract for Lincolnshire West in Glaucoma Repeat Readings, Ophthalmology Referral Triage and Minor Eye Conditions Service.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Lincolnshire is £176,093 (Rightmove, 2017) compared with a UK average of £226,185 (Land Registry 2017)
- NHS expenditure on vision problems in Lincoln per person is £80, compared with the UK average of £89 (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool 2015)
- 540 patients live in Lincoln with late stage wet AMD and 260 live with dry AMD (RNIB).
- 830 people in Lincoln have cataract, 780 people with glaucoma and 5,400 with diabetes. Some 1,910 have diabetic retinopathy.
Fun facts
Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the world in 1300 until 1549 when the spires collapsed in a storm.
Lincoln Castle is home to one of the most important historical documents in the UK – the Magna Carta.
John Hurt, actor, attended Lincoln School.
The first ever war tank was built in Lincoln by William Foster & Co during the first world war.
Lincoln hosts a very popular Christmas market, which is reputed to be the largest in Britain.
George Boole, mathematician and developer of Boolean logic, was born in Lincoln in 1815.