Regional practices stole the show at the Optician Awards last weekend with Welsh winners dominating the podium aided by their Irish and Scottish counterparts
In all four of the 16 trophies went home across the Severn Bridge. Specsavers took two of those winning the enhanced optical service award and the multiple practice of the year award in Haverfordwest and Newport respectively. Also in South Wales Davies and Jones won the Audiology Award while Wrexham’s Hoya won the Lens Product Award.
Two awards travelled to Ireland with McCrystal Opticians winning the Family Optician Award and Scope Ophthalmics the Optical Supplier trophy. Jacqui Hay of Duncan and Todd took the Contact Lens Practitioner Award home to Scotland. A full rundown of the winners can be seen opposite.
Once again the night did not disappoint with around 500 guests making their way to the Monarch Suite of the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel just a stone’s throw from Optrafair which took place at the National Exhibition Centre.
Guests were first welcomed into a drinks reception sponsored by Scope Ophthalmic’s Tear Clinic where, alongside the usual bubbly, guests could try their hand at pouring their own perfect pint of beer.
After a rousing welcome by Optician editor Chris Bennett (pictured left) guests heard about the work of the chosen charity of the event, Blind Veterans UK. Midway through the sumptuous dinner the fundraising began with a hilarious game of heads and tails. The eventual winner of the luxury hamper was Mark Robertson of Caledonian Optical. One lucky winner also won champagne courtesy of Scope with a hidden golden ticket.
The room was beautifully dressed and the event featured a stunning audio-visual show, a review of the year and a live edit of revellers arriving at the event.
After dinner the celebrity host, actress and comedian, Debra Stephenson (pictured right) wowed the audience before bringing more impressions to life during the presentation of the awards. After the presentation guests danced the night away to live music from the Lionels or chanced their luck at the charity casino.
Optician would like to express its thanks to everyone who entered.
Roll of honour: winners and shortlisted
The Family Optician of the Year
Winner: McCrystal Opticians
Barracloughs the Opticians
Bawtry Eye Academy
Cameron Beaumont
Edmonds and Slatter
Planit Opticians
Optical Supplier of the Year
Winner: Scope Ophthalmics
Heidelberg Engineering
International Eyewear
No 7 Contact Lenses
Practice Building
Shamir UK
Contact Lens Product of the Year
Winner: Dailies Total1 Multifocal, Alcon
Biofinity Energys, CooperVision
Acuvue Oasys Brand Contact Lenses 1-Day with HydraLuxe Technology, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
Lens Product of the Year
Winner: Hoya Vision Simulator, Hoya Lens UK
Zeiss DriveSafe Individual Lenses, Carl Zeiss Vision UK
Eye Protect System, Essilor
Shamir Autograph III, Shamir
Enhanced Optical Service Award
Winner: Specsavers, Haverfordwest
Icontact
Lunettes Opticians
Mellis Eyecare
Specsavers, Newport
Contact Lens Patient Engagement Award
Winner: Hammond and Dummer Opticians
Clearlab
Dipple & Conway
Specsavers Holborn
Multiple Practice of the Year
Winner: Specsavers Newport
Specsavers Bicester
Specsavers Chelmsley Wood
Specsavers Nottingham
Technology Practice of the Year
Winner: Radlett Opticians
GT Harvey and Partners
Hammond and Dummer Opticians
Mellis Eyecare
Parley Optometrists
Thornton & Wright Opticians
Optical Assistant Team of the Year
Winner: Glass and Glass Optometrists
David Burghardt Vision Care
Davies & Jones Optometrists
Eye 2 Eye Opticians
Specsavers Brixham
Audiology Award
Winner: Davies & Jones Optometrists
Specsavers Nottingham
Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year
Winner: Jacqui Hay, Duncan and Todd Opticians
Amanda Barker, Duncan and Todd Opticians
Fashion Practice of the Year
Winner: Albert Road Opticians
Concept Eye Clinic
Mincher-Lockett & Co Opticians
Robinson Optometrists
Spectacle Fashion
Frame of the Year
Winner: J02M RB003, Hapter
Blogger, Sun by Booth & Bruce
Camil, Gotti
Nakamura NK-31, Brulimar
CM104, Campbell Marson Wooden Frame
Dispensing Optician of the Year
Winner: Ned Saunders, SeeAbility
James Dawson, Serendipity Optical Consultants
Justin Kellett, Justin Kellett Opticians
Robin Rohu, Bayfields Opticians (trading as Norman Cope Opticians)
Sue Edwards, Martin Smith Opticians
Independent Practice of the Year
Winner: Cameron Beaumont
Cameron Optometry
Dipple & Conway
H&H Eyecare
Robinson Optometrists
Taank Optometrists
Optometrist of the Year
Winner: Alisdair Buchanan, Buchanan Optometrists
Dr Rohit Narayan, Anstee & Proctor
Pretty Basra, Edwards and Walker Opticians
Nick Wingate, The Outside Clinic
Ruth Perrott, VisionCare Optometry
Joanna Williams, Wardale Williams, Sudbury
