Over 600 guests packed into the Monarch Suite of the Hilton Metropole Birmingham on Saturday evening for the presentation of the Optician Awards.
The audience was drawn from every area of optics as 17 of Optician's trademark Art Deco trophies were presented by sponsoring companies and optical dignitaries.
Proceedings started with a drinks reception before guests moved through to the Monarch Suite. An audio visual show featuring a review of the year was screened before a welcome from Optician editor Chris Bennett. Welcoming guests, Bennett said the 2014 Optician Awards would be held alongside the very first Optrafair London, due to take place in the capital from April 11-13 next year.
He said this exciting new venture would put London on the world map of optics and create a rallying point for other optical events.
After dinner, the guests were entertained by Hugh Dennis from TV's Mock the Week, Outnumbered and Radio 4's The Now Show. Following an hilarious set, the presentation of the awards was made. As they left the stage the winners were whisked away to be interviewed in front of the Optician video wall to give their first reactions.
Footage from the video wall can be viewed at www.opticianonline.net and images from the night downloaded. A full run-down of the winners is shown below.
Once the awards had been presented, guests were invited to dance the night away to the live band, The Lionels, or try their luck at the charity casino which was sponsored by GfK. Those at the end of the evening with the most chips were offered a selection of prizes. All of the proceeds from the casino will be donated to Vision Aid Overseas.
And the winners were:
? Business Excellence Award, sponsored by AEL
The Valli Group, Huddersfield
? Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year, sponsored by Alcon
David Gould, David Gould Opticians, Rawtenstall
? Dry Eye Award, sponsored by Spectrum Thea
Turners Optometrists, Bridgwater
? Independent Practice of the Year, sponsored by Hoya
Judith Roberts Opticians, Mumbles
? Dispensing Optician of the Year
James Dawson, Keith Murphy Opticians
? Start Up Practice of the Year, Sponsored by Birmingham Optical
Planit Opticians, Colne
? Multiple Practice of the Year, sponsored by Macuvision
Specsavers, Sutton-in-Ashfield
? Optical Assistant Team of the Year
Boots Opticians, Bath Southgate
? Vision for Life Award, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson
IJ Brown Partnership, Dorchester
? Optometrist of the Year, sponsored by CooperVision
Andrew Millington, Chepstow
? Luxury Eyewear Retailer of the Year, sponsored by William Morris London
Eyesite Opticians, Beverley
? Premium Lens Practice of the Year, sponsored by Transitions
Keith Holland & Associates, Cheltenham
? Technology Practice of the Year, sponsored by Grafton Optical and its technology partner Optovue
Buchanan Optometrists, Snodland
? Frame of the Year Award
Feb 31st, Apus
? Contact Lens Product of the Year
Proclear 1 day multifocal, CooperVision
? Lens Product of the Year
Varilux S-Series, Essilor
? Optical Supplier of the Year
William Morris Eyewear