The View from the High Street

Just over a year ago my business moved from London's Wigmore Street, an area dominated by brass plates, the historic 'old school' centre of UK optics, to the hustle and bustle of the prestigious Sedley Place on Oxford Street. We are now in a fast-paced retail environment, with a hugely diverse patient base and the challenges that has to offer - what a buzz!

It feels like we never close, even now I am on a train home at 10pm. Initially the increased hours - 8am to 9pm - felt excessive, who wants to have their eyes tested at 8 o'clock at night? But this is the 21st century and optics has to compete in the retail environment. Customers are flooding in to be seen at their convenience before and after work. In the age where we can shop 24 hours a day, our customers expect the service industry to oblige with appointment times to suit their busy lives. I thought I would struggle to recruit optometrists willing to work our extended days, but actually competition to join us is fierce and I have my pick of excellence in the optics industry. The most important criteria being flexibility and an ability to communicate with patients.