The idea of being an independent business is that you are in charge - you take credit for success and learn hard lessons from failure. Sleepless nights are guaranteed at times, but it’s nice not to be managed by a distant HQ or by Excel or by Investors.

One of the things we cherish is that we hand pick all our own frames - in multiples you get sent the stock and you stick it on the shelf - whether you like the style or, crucially, quality. We don’t have to stock anything we don’t rate - especially frames that are not robust, don’t have good quality hinges or feel cheap.

We have talked before about how the optical market in the UK is being transformed by the Hakim Group taking a 50%+ share in hundreds of formerly fully independent stores - the shop front and name stays the same and they appear fully independent, but they are not. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this, but I wish they would be a bitmore up-front about the change, as we have customers who keep going to places thinking they are supporting a full independent business with local people owning and controlling. If you go on websites of places that have joined this big group you will struggle to see it mentioned - why not be open? In Sheffield we know of 4 well knowns businesses who are now with Hakim, but there may be more …

Anyway - when I was away recently (see picture) I was able to reflect on our 10th year and be glad that we still have full control!

I was recently asked to contribute to a supplement on myopia mangement for Optometry Today. The section I added to was on early adopters. It’s a huge global health issue which seems to get no mainstream media coverage yet. The link to the whole article is here.

As well as trying to stop prescriptions increasing (and therefore reduce risk of various eye diseases) there is now a move to look at prevention with pre-myopes. These are primary school aged kids and the main answer is time outside - which has a lot of other health benefits too (physical and mental), as well as the the potential sight saving goal.

In our country health funding always seems to be fire fighting and prevention/public health initiatives always sit behind the in your face issues - like waiting at A&E and trying to get a GP appointment. But, a time outside for young people policy really does seem to be one of those things that ticks so many boxes - especially if it led to making safe and enjoyable active travel a possibility for kids on the way to school.

How we approach pricing is an important part of our philosophy. We want it to be simple, up-front, transparent and visible in the shop and online.

We hate what we call Ry***ir prcing - where you think you are going on holiday for £70, but when you add on all the things that should not really be add-ons it’s way, way more.

We also dislike offers that you get excited by and then find it doesn’t quite apply to you - hence our 25% off additional pairs lasts for a year.

And no traffis!