Nestled on the banks of the River Severn, Newtown is one of the largest towns in Powys in mid-Wales. At the end of the 13th century King Edward I issued a charter allowing Newtown to hold a market on Tuesdays – a tradition that still continues today.
The market town came to prominence in the 19th century when the newly completed Montgomeryshire Canal facilitated the blossoming textile and flannel industry. Social reformer Robert Owen helped to put Newtown on the map for founding the international co-operative movement.
Today, Newtown’s ‘small town’ appeal is evident with the wide variety of shops, accommodation and attractions including t14.9 he Robert Owen Museum and Statue, the Textile Museum, the Hafren Theatre and major art gallery, Oriel Davies Gallery.
It also serves as a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside including nature reserves, canal paths, the Severn Way and nearby Gregynog Hall and Gardens.
David Dunlop, director of Specsavers in Newtown, describes the local area as a ‘beautiful place surrounded by rolling hills with very friendly people’.
The practice, which opened in 2006, benefits from a high footfall of shoppers due to its prime location on the main street, opposite the shopping centre. ‘The town has a good mix of independent shops and we have a great range of customers, from young families and customers from surrounding towns to people who have lived here all their lives,’ says Dunlop, adding: ‘The friendliness of the people is the most enjoyable part of working here – they’ve all got interesting stories to tell.’
Some 75% of Specsavers customers in Newtown are NHS-funded, which Dunlop (pictured left) says is mainly due to the majority of customers being over 60 years of age: ‘We try to stock a wide range of frames and we do sell designer styles – older customers tend to go for designer frames like Gant, while younger customers go for Superdry.’
Recruiting professional staff is the greatest challenge, according to Dunlop: ‘We have always offered very attractive salaries and do try to showcase the benefits of working in the town by going into sixth forms and schools to promote professional eye care jobs.’
As a multiple practice, Dunlop says that it has taken time to build customer trust: ‘We’ve spread the word to show that most Specsavers practices are separately owned and that people can approach us as a family business,’ he says. ‘We focus on customer service and not over-selling. We’re very honest with our patients and don’t try to sell them glasses if they don’t need them or if their prescription hasn’t changed. We pay attention to the customers and our staff members are always friendly, smiley and happy.’
Who’s in town
Total: 3
Independents: 2
Multiples: 1
Average costs
Prices of an eye examination range from £20 to £32. Average cost: £27.33
Population
Newtown population: 11,357
Community eye care
Eye care services in Newtown are provided by Wecs (Welsh Eyecare Services) in urgent eye problems, low vision, domiciliary care and social services.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Newtown is £135,456, compared with an average of £220,713 for the UK (Land Registry, May 2017)
- NHS expenditure on vision problems in Powys County per person is £119, compared with the UK average of £89 (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool 2015).
- 1,230 patients live in Powys with late stage wet AMD and 600 with dry AMD (RNIB).
- There are about 1,910 people living in Powys who have cataract, 1,280 people with glaucoma and 9,920 with diabetes.
- Some 2,730 patients have diabetic retinopathy, according to RNIB figures.
Fun facts
Pryce Owen sold flannel to customers as far afield as America and Australia and his customers included Queen Victoria and Florence Nightingale.
Newtown is home to the WH Smith museum, located within the shop and providing a history of the household name, launched in 1792.
Laura Ashley established her home furnishing and clothing company in the area in the 20th century, reviving the town’s connection with the textile industry.
Newtown hosted the first ever Santa run in 2001 and broke the world record for the most people dressed as Father Christmas in one place at one time in 2004 (3,445).
