Tunbridge Wells is one of England’s royal spa towns and is situated in West Kent, bordering East Sussex. A popular tourist destination in the Victorian era, the busy town boasts a selection of optician practices.
Peepers Eyecare is one of Tunbridge Wells’ independent practices. Founded in 1986 by David Twocock and his wife Linda, the practice has three consulting rooms staffed by five optometrists, two dispensing opticians and two lab technicians. The couple’s son Danny joined the practice in 1991 as a lab technician and is now the director of the business.
Danny Twocock describes Tunbridge Wells as ‘vibrant and affluent’.
‘We are in the boutique part of the town with less footfall than the traditional high street, giving the whole area a far more relaxed feel. This provides a very pleasurable working environment that we feel our patients appreciate and enjoy during their time in the practice.’
The 32-year-old practice has been family owned ever since its opening. ‘Many of our patients are aware of this and appreciate the continuity and level of service that comes with being a truly independent practice,’ says Danny Twocock. It offers Optomap by Optos, Nidek OCT, a Medmont Topographer to provide Ortho-k and myopia control for children and tries to cater for all budgets.
‘In the last few years, the patient base has shifted to higher end frames and lenses. Lindberg is a great success for us and we carry most of their ranges. Wolf Eyewear works very well for us and we also stock more mainstream brands such as Ray-Ban, Prada, Hugo Boss and Christian Dior.’
The Specsavers practice in Tunbridge Wells also sees high sales of designer frames, including in-house brands by will.i.am and Kylie Minogue. Retail director Ian Hyland says the most popular brands across the adult ranges are Tommy Hilfiger and Converse.
This practice has been open since September 1995. Hyland says: ‘It’s a lovely town. There are lots of independent shops as well as the usual high street ones. The Pantiles [pictured above] is close by, which has more restaurants and specialist shops.’
The company’s new Frame Styler technology has been recently unveiled in store, which Hyland describes as ‘brilliant.’ ‘We’ve got a very high scan rate of 95% of the patients who walk through the door. Customers are coming in and asking to use it as they’ve seen the television adverts for it.’
Who’s in town
Total: 7
Independents: 2
Multiples: 5
Average costs
The average price of an eye exam in Tunbridge Wells ranges from £25 to £45, at an average cost of £35.
Population
Population: 117, 069
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, Kent and Medway Local Optical Committee has a contract with West Kent CCG in Glaucoma Repeat Readings and Ophthalmology Referral Triage.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Tunbridge Wells is £458,629 (Zoopla), compared with a UK average of £223,257 (Land Registry, 2017).
- Tunbridge Wells has an average salary of £24,104, compared with a UK average of £27,271 (Payscale, 2018).
- In Tunbridge Wells, it is estimated that 5,090 people live with early stage age-related macular degeneration. (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool).
- By 2030, it is predicted that 74,500 people in Kent will be living with sight loss – an increase of 43.9%.
Fact file
Tunbridge Wells has been royal since 1909. King Edward VII officially recognised the significance of the town due to its frequent royal visits from monarchs like Queen Victoria, pictured above.
Ever since the town’s parliamentary constituency was formed in 1974, it has been served by the Conservative party. The three MPs who have held the constituency in the past are Patrick Mayhew (1974-97), Archie Norman (1997-2005) and the current MP, Greg Clark, secretary of state for business.
Britain’s first ever motor show, known then as the Horseless Carriage Exhibition, was held in Tunbridge Wells in 1895.
Rock stars Jeff Beck and Sid Vicious, comedian Jo Brand, and tennis champion Virginia Wade have all lived in Tunbridge Wells.
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