Flapper girls, double celebrations, and topical humour were all in evidence at this year’s Optician Awards presentation ceremony which took place in Birmingham at the weekend.
One of the highlights of the 1920s-themed night was a troupe of flapper girls, Bee’s Knees, who welcomed and entertained guests and held some impromptu Charleston lessons. Further entrainment was provided by the live band, Funky Bhudda and the celebrity host and TV comic Ed Byrne who presided over the presentation of the trophies following a 20-minute comedy set.
In pictures: The Optician Awards 2015 winners
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David Burghardt was among the happiest people on the night with his practice, David Burghardt Vision Care scooping two awards.
Burghardt’s first trip to the stage was to collect the Software Practice of the Year Award, sponsored by Ocuco. He was clearly delighted to be making his second visit to the stage a few minutes later to be collecting the Contact Lenses for Life Award which was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.
In all 17 trophies were awarded. These included new categories such as the Enhanced Service Award, sponsored by Birmingham Optical and technology partner Nidek and the Window Display of the year sponsored by Luxottica. See below for a full run down of the winners.
Over 620 of the great and good from the optical profession and industry donned dinner jackets or posh frocks for a stunning evening of celebration. Guests were greeted at the drinks reception in the Warwick Suite of the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham by Bee’s Knees with dancing and some quick lessons.
Highlights from the night
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Ahead of dinner, Chris Bennett offered his own welcome while guests were treated to an audio visual show which included live footage of guests arriving at the venue. This was followed by Colin Williamson of Blind Veterans UK, the chosen charity for the evening, who gave guests more information of the charity’s work.
Watch the Optician Awards video
A sumptuous three course dinner punctuated by more flapper girl action followed before the presentation of the awards. The presentation was followed by dancing into the small hours to Funky Bhudda and the charity casino.
Optician Awards 2015 - the winners
Technology Practice of the Year sponsored by Grafton Optical and its technology partner Visionix
Peter Ivins Eye Care
Shortlisted: Christopher Nixon Optometrists; Specsavers Morningside, Edinburgh; Williams Optometrists
Fashion Practice of the Year sponsored by De Rigo
Eyeworks London
Shortlisted: Bespoke Eyewear; Gregory & Seeley Eyewear; Leightons Opticians, Putney; Observatory the Opticians, Muswell Hill
Software Practice of the Year sponsored by Ocuco
David Burghardt Vision Care
Shortlisted: Buchanan Optometrists; Parley Optometrists; Peter Ivins Eye Care
Enhanced Service Award sponsored by Birmingham Optical and technology partners Nidek
BBR Optometry
Shortlisted: Leyland Opticians; Matheson Optometrists; Valli Opticians
Window Display of the Year sponsored by Luxottica
M Procter Opticians
Shortlisted: Goatman & Batham; Observatory the Opticians, Muswell Hill
Multiple Practice of the Year
Specsavers Sutton-in-Ashfield
Shortlisted: Dan 1 Optics (t/a Boots Opticians Keighley); Leightons Opticians, Farnham
Independent Practice of the Year sponsored by Hoya
Buchanan Optometrists
Shortlisted: G T Harvey and Partners; Gregory & Seeley Eyewear; Taank Optometrists; Valli Opticians
Family Optician of the Year
Curtis Opticians
Shortlisted: Bowen Opticians; Hammond and Dummer Opticians; Keith Holland & Associates; Walford and Round Opticians
Contact Lenses for Life Award (Teens) sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
David Burghardt Vision Care
Shortlisted: Buchanan Optometrists; McGonigle Opticians; The Eye Studio
Lens Product of the Year
Attitude III - Shamir
Shortlisted: Essilor Ltd (Transitions Signature VII Graphite Green); HOYA Lens UK (Sensity); Younger Optics Europe (Camber Technology)
Frame of the Year
Norum - Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses
Shortlisted: Kirk & Kirk (Vivarium Curie Bordeaux); Mondottica (Hinge Technology); Specs4us (Erin's World); William Morris London (BL105)
Contact Lens Product of the Year
Gentle 80 - mark'ennovy Personalized Care
Shortlisted: Alcon Eyecare Ltd (AIR OPTIX COLORS); Clearlab (Clearday Beyond); CooperVision (Biofinity XR Sphere); Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (1-Day Acuvue Define); Menicon/David Thomas Contact Lenses (Miru 1 Day)
Optical Supplier of the Year
Eyespace
Shortlisted: 24/7 Uptime; BBGR; Opticabase; PK National Eyecare Group
Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year sponsored by Alcon
Ian Cameron, Cameron Optometry
Shortlisted: Icontact Ltd (Nick Howard); Leightons Opticians (Indie Grewal); Specsavers Chelmsley Wood (Nigel Monk); Specsavers Nottingham (Suzanne Czerwinski)
Dispensing Optician of the Year sponsored by Essilor
James Dawson, Serendipity Consulting
Shortlisted: Barnaby's Opticians (Louise Barrington); Mondottica (Alistair Barrett); Specsavers Nottingham (Luke Smith); Tompkins, Knight and Son Optometrists (Andrew Oliver)
Optometrist of the Year sponsored by CooperVision
Austin Roberts, Judith Roberts Opticians
Shortlisted: Lynne Fernandes Optometrists (Lynne Fernandes); Martin Smith Opticians (Dr Martin Richard Smith); McCrystal Opticians (Noel McCrystal); Observatory the Opticians (William Norman)
Optical Assistant Team of the Year
Edmonds and Slatter Opticians
Shortlisted: Boots Opticians, Wolverhampton; Curtis Opticians; Millington Dawson Optometrists; Specsavers Sutton-in-Ashfield; Woodhouse Opticians