Weston-super-Mare is located on the coast in the West of England, not far from Bristol.
Steph Bowen, manager and dispensing optician at Bowen Opticians, enjoys working in Weston. ‘It’s a nice seaside town. We’re based just on the outskirts of the town and we see patients from all around the area, as people can drive out to us,’ says Bowen. ‘We also have a good relationship with our patients due to the high level of customer service we offer.’
Bowen Opticians has a Spectralis OCT scanner. Bowen says: ‘We offer our patients visual health and eye health assessments, so they can discuss specific issues with us. Our head optometrist Fiona Bromfield has just completed a postgraduate certificate in clinical optometry and a professional certificate in paediatric eye care. Last year, we were awarded the Autism Friendly Award by the National Autism Society and we were the first practice in England to receive this.’
To commemorate this year’s National Eye Health Week, the practice (pictured) will be offering patients four different smoothies made up of ingredients that are known for being beneficial for eyes. ‘At our smoothie bar just outside the practice, we’ll be giving out the recipes as well as having informal chats about eye health,’ Bowen says.
Popular brands at Bowen Opticians include Ted Baker, Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs.
Paula Conway, optometrist and proprietor at Conway Opticians, has worked at the practice since she opened it in 2009. ‘Weston-super-Mare is a popular seaside town for families. Patients are happy with the standard of care and service they receive and never feel rushed. Running my own practice gives me flexibility to attend to patients’ needs without pressure. We never turn any patient away who may need same day care.’
Conway Opticians has a Humphrey field analyser, which Conway uses regularly with almost all of her patients.
Anis Rehman, dispensing optician and branch manager of Carpenters Optometrists, has worked at the practice for eight months and enjoys working in the area. ‘It has a nice community feel to it and it’s growing and expanding all the time. We’re a community opticians and so we have a good relationship with our patients who come in for quick chats. We also like to make regular visits to schools,’ he says.
The practice has an OCT scanner, offers clinics for patients in dry eye and red eye and has a focus on paediatric eye care.
Who’s in town
Total: 10
Independents: 6
Multiples: 4
Average costs
The average price of an eye exam in Weston-super-Mare ranges from £10 to £39, at an average cost of £27.90.
Population - see pie chart
Population: 211,681
Community eye care
According to the Locsu Atlas Map of Optical Variation, Avon Local Optical Committee has a contract with North Somerset CCG in Glaucoma Repeat Readings.
Health and affluence
- The average house price in Weston-super-Mare is £224,287 (Zoopla), compared with a UK average of £223,257 (Land Registry, 2017).
- Weston-super-Mare has an average salary of £29,017, compared with a UK average of £27,271 (Payscale, 2018)
- In Weston-super-Mare, it is estimated that 10,860 people live with early stage age-related macular degeneration. (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool)
- By 2030, it is predicted that 31,370 people in Somerset will be living with sight loss – an increase of 42.8%
Fact file
The town is called Weston-super-Mare because Weston comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for settlement and super mare is Latin for above sea. Super Mare was added as there are other towns called Weston.
During World War II, Weston-super-Mare was bombed heavily in June 1940, January 1941 and June 1942. Large areas of the town were badly destroyed, particularly Orchard Street and the Boulevard.
In 2006, a structure called Silica, pictured, was installed at Big Lamp Corner, which is public art, advertising sign, retail kiosk and bus shelter all in one. The tall shape is meant to symbolise man’s harmony with the sea.
Would you like to work in Weston-super-Mare? Go to Optician Jobs to see all the latest opportunities available