Co-founder of Haine & Smith Opticians passes away

Optician is sad to report the passing of Barry Smith, co-founder of Haine & Smith Opticians and former director of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, on October 13 aged 82 after a short illness.

Smith and Sue Haine founded the independent in 1975 with optical practices in Westbury and Marlborough and it now operates 20 practices in towns across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

In August, 2019 Smith and his wife Liz moved to Aberfeldy in Scotland when he retired at the same time as their son Giles and his family moved to the area. Their youngest son Felix is a priest in Sussex.

Smith was a supporter of Swindon Town, Southampton and St Johnston football clubs and was a keen sportsman in his day, playing football, table tennis, tennis and badminton.