With Blue Flag beaches and one of the world’s largest natural harbours, Poole is a popular coastal town that attracts around 400,000 visitors each year. Yet, the Dorset dwelling has not always served as a tourist hotspot.
In the 18th century, Poole was a bustling trading port where merchants imported cod from Newfoundland. Today, the town forms part of the South-East conurbation that houses just under half a million people and serves as the headquarters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Specsavers is one of the longest serving multiples in the area, having been established in 1986. Ophthalmic director Sinan Khan explains his branch has fared well in comparison with the fortunes of other large companies in the area.
‘Poole has seen many changes over the years and, unfortunately, many big high-street names have closed. But, Specsavers has always remained an extremely busy and highly performing store,’ he says.
Boasting a team of over 50 members, the practice is able to offer Enhanced Optical Services such as a glaucoma, dry-eye and post-cataract operation assessments. Khan (pictured) says that ‘an incredibly efficient lab’ which uses modern technology allows the branch to offer same-day glazing.
‘Poole is a lovely place to live and work,’ Tracy Finch says. Finch is optical manager at Asda Opticians and has worked with the company for 11 years.
She says a paperless system is ‘proving to be very effective’ in helping to run everyday operations and believes there are several factors that make her practice a popular one. ‘Our pricing, location and accessibility are fantastic. Also, the fact we have an optical, pharmacy and travel bureau all under one roof appeals to many people as they can do their weekly shop at the same time,’ she says.
With the centre of town bursting with multiples, Frank Whiffen is one of the only independent practice owners in Poole. He believes, despite an increase in competition, his business has not been affected.
‘I think we’ve managed to uphold a very steady business. If we hadn’t seen an increase in the number of multiples in town, then we might have had a larger catchment of patients. But, all in all, I think we held up very well,’ he says.
‘We are the only optician in Lower Parkstone and I don’t think it could support another one because it’s not a big enough trading area,’ he adds.
Who’s in town
Total: 8
Independents: 1
Multiples: 7
Average costs
The price of an eye exam in Poole ranges from £19 to £30, producing an average cost of £27.71.
Population
Poole Borough population: 151,500 (ONS 2017)
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, Dorset Local Optical Committee has secured a contract for Dorset CCG in Low Vision, Stable Glaucoma Monitoring and Glaucoma Repeat Readings.
Health and affluence
The average house price in Poole is £342,625 (Zoopla) compared with a UK average of £223,257 (Land Registry, 2017)
Poole has an average salary of £24,492 compared with a UK average of £27,271 (PayScale, 2018)
In 2015, there were 3,050 people living with diabetic retinopathy in Poole (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool 2015)
There were an estimated 1,890 people living with late stage age-related macular degeneration in 2016 (RNIB)
It is estimated that, by 2025, there will be 2,450 people living with cataract in Poole (RNIB)
Fact file
The Poole Logboat is one of the most complete surviving boats of its kind. The vessel, carved from a single oak tree, was discovered in 1964 and dates from 295 BC.
Sandbanks is Britain’s most expensive seaside town. A Halifax study revealed that the average price of a home in the Dorset borough is £664,051. This was £46,308 more expensive than second place Salcombe.
Brownsea Island, is home to a colony of 200 red squirrels. The non-native grey squirrel has never been introduced to the island, allowing the native species to thrive.
Greg Lake of prog rock band Emerson Lake and Palmer was born in Poole, as was spy novelist John Le Carré.
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