Look Local: Lucky number Seven

Look around at the top of Sevenoaks high street and you’ll find four of the town’s seven practices almost within touching distance of each other. It may be a small town, but patients have a wide range of opticians to choose from.

Located in the west of Kent 21 miles outside London, Sevenoaks is a semi-rural town with an affluent populous. In its 1,000-or-so-year history it has changed from the small settlement of Seouenaca clustered around the church, farmsteads and manors, to a busy commuter town that has kept its rural charm.

‘There is very much a village community feel to the town, with everyone knowing everyone, which is great,’ says Maxine Chakowa, retail partner at the town’s Specsavers practice. ‘We see lots of new customers but we also have many patients who have been with us since we opened. Our customers come from all ages and all walks of life – our oldest customer is 101.’