Look local: Seasonal needs of surfer city

Postcard perfect coastlines and golden beaches have earned Newquay a reputation as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. The Cornish town attracts hordes of surfers to its shores every year, alongside families looking to take a break without the hassle of travelling abroad. The population can treble in summer, putting extra pressure on the area’s few optical practices.

Varnals Opticians on the edge of town has established itself as a reputable practice over the 34 years since its opening. Although taken over by Scrivens last year, practice manager Sharon Pritchard (pictured below) says the store is far from conveyor belt optics. ‘It’s a very friendly local community, everybody knows everybody, and a lot of the staff have been here for years. Roughly two out of three customers are NHS as most of our customers are older.’