Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire and has a history that can be traced back to the first century AD. Its many and varied optical services are well established, so residents have a choice for their examinations and treatments.
Dharshana Chauhan, practice manager at the Specsavers practice in Bedford, thinks the town is great to work in. ‘It has great transport links and the development of the new town centre provides a great range of attractions and shops. The Sunday Times has said Bedford is one of the best places to live in eastern England in 2018,’ said Chauhan. ‘Bedford Specsavers has a great community atmosphere resulting in a family feel for our customers and team. We encourage and support the staff to develop their careers and pursue their ambitions. I am proud many of our staff have transformed from optical assistants to full time optometrists.’
The practice has previously won Company of the Year at the Bedfordshire and Luton Rising Star awards due to the team’s commitment to the practice and has also won two awards for team development at the Specsavers Excellence Awards.
It said that it is the leading opticians in Bedford to provide minor eye conditions services (Mecs) and work alongside GPs. Chauhan (pictured) says: ‘As well as Mecs, we also provide DVLA checks and direct cataract referrals with Bedford Moorfields Eye Hospital. By providing these services we are not only significantly reducing the NHS waiting times and the burden on GP surgeries, but we are providing an ease of access to our customers to high quality health care services.’
Brands most popular in the practice include the Balmain collection and the Kylie range which appeals to women with petite faces.
Jan Kuszlewicz, practice owner of John Kaye Optometrist, enjoys working in Bedford. ‘It’s a very enjoyable and interesting town. New independents and coffee shops have been coming into the area more. The recent expansion of the town has been significant and it’s cosmopolitan now, with lots of different nationalities living here.’
The practice has a good relationship with its patients due to being located centrally in the town for the past 40 years. ‘We get to know our patients very well and have seen several generations in the same family, for example the grandchildren of our original patients,’ said Kuszlewicz. ‘Our team are happy to develop a rapport with our patients to help them in any way we can and we’re proud to be a small independent with traditional values of service and quality.’
Who’s in town
Total: 9
Independents: 6
Multiples: 3
Average costs
The average price of an eye exam in Bedford ranges from £10 to £60, at an average cost of £28.10.
Population - see pie chart
Population: 168,751
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, Bedfordshire Local Optical Committee has a contract with Bedford and Mid Bedford CCG in Minor Eye Conditions Services, Low Vision and Cataract Referral.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Bedford is £336,086 (Zoopla), compared with a UK average of £223,257 (Land Registry, 2017).
- Bedford has an average salary of £23,887, compared with a UK average of £27,271 (Payscale, 2018)
- In Bedford, it is estimated that 6,700 people live with early stage age-related macular degeneration (RNIB).
- By 2030, it is predicted that 7,530 people in Bedford will be living with sight loss – an increase of 46.2%. (RNIB).
Fact file
The town was founded on the River Great Ouse and is thought to have become the burial place of the Anglo-Saxon King Offa of Mercia in AD796.
Bedford is the former headquarters of the Panacea Society, which believed that the town would have an important role in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and also that it was the original location of the Garden of Eden.
Ski jumper Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, pictured, long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe, as well as architects of the Arts and Crafts movement, Charles Edward Mallows and Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott are from Bedford.
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