Chris Bennett: The night of the year – virtually

Some well-needed cheer for the optical profession was delivered on Wednesday when the winners of the 2020 Optician Awards were revealed in an online presentation show.

Celebrations rang out in practices across the country, no doubt loudest in Northampton at Tompkins Knight & Son Optometrists and at Finchley’s Central Vision where double victories were chalked up (see the roll of honour on page 7).

The presentation, which can still be viewed at www.optican online.net, was hosted virtually for the first time but that didn’t detract from the winners’ excitement. It was way back in last winter when their journey began to awards stardom and celebrations, safely filmed from practice, weren’t diminished by time.