David Barnaby cuts ribbon to mark 40th annniversary

Barnabys Opticians has celebrated 40 years of business by moving to a larger practice in the centre of Bournemouth.

David Barnaby and his wife Maggie joined forces with dispensing opticians Chris and Louise Barrington to open the new venture, and guests at a launch party last week included Essilor UK managing director Mike Kirkley.

Speaking about the founding of the practice four decades ago, Barnaby said: ‘When I was young I would shop in Kings Road, London, for the latest trends in suits etc. Gents tailors had gone through massive changes at this time. Pop music is played in shops like Lord John and it is just exciting to go shopping. Afterwards I would return to work and it is not exciting, it is just another day at the opticians. So I thought it was time to make an optical boutique which would be like Lord John’s – pop music, bow windows and stock based in the latest fashions.’