Posts from February 2010

A cockermouth man has retired after more than 40 years as an optician.

Bob Bratton, 65, of Simonscales Lane, has spent the last 10 years as a contact lens optician for Conlons Opticians in Carlisle.

He had a retirement lunch at the North Lakes Hotel this month, which was attended by 11 colleagues.

My Bratton, who was born in Dumfries and grew up in Durham, qualified as a dispensing optician in 1967 and soon developed an interest in contact lense work, which he began practising in 1972.

He has also worked for Conlons' branches in Kendal, Barrow and Penrith.

He said he really loved his work with all his patients at Conlons.

Mr Bratton, who moved to Cumbria in 1977 and is a keen acrylic painter and amateur artist, said: "I am looking forward to spending more time on my painting and also doing some travelling as well as enjoying getting to know my new grandchild.

"I would like to thank everyone at Conlons for all their enthusiam and support over the years I have worked with them and I will miss being part of such a close-knit working community."

A Wigan opticians has stepped in to provide a junoir football team with a brand new kit.

Seneley and Garswood Juniors under-eights A and B team look the part in their new maroon kit sponsored by Conlons Opticians in Leigh.

The opticians chose to sponsor the young team because their kits were worn and had been handed down from a previous under-eights team.

Clare Raynes, branch manager for Conlons in Leigh, said: "We are delighted to have been able to provide the teams with their smart new kit and would like to wish them luck."

One of Wigan's best known optometrists has retired after 32 years in the profession.

Often referred to as Mr Conlon, Malcolm Rubins has worked for Conlons Opticians since 1977.

After a brief stint at another firm in Manchester, Malcolm was re-recruited by Conlons in 1983.

Malcolm, 69, said: "I have worked for Conlons for more than 30 years and will miss being part of this family business and all my patients too.

"But I am looking forward to spending more time outdoors and walking in the hills and will make sure I keep in touch with everyone at Conlons."

Malcolm has three children and plans to spend more time with them and his friends.

Conlons managing director John Welsby said: "My staff and I would like to thank Malcolm for all his hard work and dedication over the last 32 years.

"He has provided Conlons with an excellent service and will be very much missed both by us and all his patients.

"We wish him lots of happiness in his retirement and know he will keep in touch."

We have recently been including a bag of Haribo within each dispatch of contact lenses for those on direct debit. This is only for a limited period but has been received with very mixed results. We have received much positive feedback with people seeing it as a nice little harmless gesture. On the other hand, it has left others confused with some thinking that perhaps someone accidently dropped some of their lunch into their contacts! Also, they are not great for teeth although are only a little bag. What do you think?

Chester Evening Leader - 1st February 2010

Staff at an opticians have shown they are focused on their career after totting up 127 years' service between them.

Nine workers at Conlons opticians in Shotton will soon be overtaking the company itself, which is celebrating its own 127th anniversary this year.

Store manager Marie Aspey said: "We all really enjoy working with the local community and are very proud that between us we have worked for Conlons for 127 years.

Millom - 21st January 2010

Staff at a Millon opticians are celebrating after one of their members received an award.

Jackie Clough, branch manager of Conlons opticians, received a Long Standing Achievement Award for her dedication to the company.

The accolade was presented to her at the company's annual awards ceremony in Birmingham by Conlons chairman Mike Barton.

Mrs Clough has worked for the company for 15 years, 13 of which at the Wellington Street branch. The grandmother-of-one said: "Everyone gets an award after 15 years working at the company.

"I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for me to receive the award.

"If it weren't for the customers supporting the business it wouldn't have happened.

"It was a very lovely night. It is fantastic."

Conlons opened a store in Millom 15 years ago and is the town's only opticians.

Mr Barton said: "Jackie has proved that her positive attitude and tight controls are a winning formula for success.

"She has consistently provided a top level of service to the company and we'd like to thank her for her loyalty, hard work and dedication over the years."

Conlons was founded in Liverpool in 1882 and now has 18 branches.

North West Evening Mail (Series) - 04th January 2010

An employee of Conlons Opticians in Barrow has been praised for her long service.

Vicki Burgess, 31, has received a Long Standing Achievement Award for all her time and dedication to the opticians group.

The award was presented at the companies annual awards ceremony held at the Ramada Hotel in Birmingham by Conlons chairman Mike Barton and director of optometry Philip Owen.

Conlons Opticians in Barrow has been serving the local community for more than 35 years.

Barrow store manager Ian Hechle said: "Vicki Burgess started working at Conlons in Barrow at the age of 16 and has consistently provided a top level of service to the company.

"We'd like to thank her for her loyalty, hard work and dedication over the years."

Mrs Burgess whose leisure pastimes including keeping fit and camping in the great outdoors with her family, is an optical adviser advising customers about their specs and helping them with fittings.

She said: "I love spending time with the customers and making them feel good about themselves."

Another of her hobbies is fashion and she puts it to good use advising customers about the latest fashion in frames.

Her knowledge helps her to know what will sell and what will not and what looks good on people.

The company says one of the most important factors behind its long success is its passion for customer service given by staff like Vicki whose long service presents included a bottle of Champagne, Burgundy crystal cut glasses, and a glass plaque.

Formby Times

Conlons buck trend with award

The team at Conlons celebrated a "Branch Turnaround" prize at an awards event. The Formby opticians joined forces with Alice Joyce Opticians last year and is now bucking the credit crunch blues with a healthy turnover. Conlons Managing Director said: "This branch has had an interesting and challenging year with a huge amount of change. They have coped admirably as a newly strengthened team and are really turning on the sales."

North West Evening Mail (Series) - 26th November 2009

A budding artist has won a selection of art supplies.

Jake Cooke, who goes to Brisbane Park Infants School in Barrow, entered the colouring competition, along with his fellow pupils.

The monthly competition is organised by Conlons Opticians, which visit different schools in Barrow to invite them to take part.

Jake, 7, coloured in a picture of zoo animals, and has won a selection of art supplies, toys and sunglasses.

Eve Miles, corporate eye care advisor at the Dalton Road opticians, said: "We go to different schools every month and hand out bags so that different children can join in every month."

Jake said: "I love colouring in, I used different glitters for each part of the picture."

Runcorn & Widnes World Series - 13th February 2010

Three generations of a Widnes family celebrated the success of a long established optician this week.

Conlons marked its 63rd year in the town by donating more than £1,500 to Widnes charities.

Lesley Blackburn, aged 44, of Lindisfarne Court, her mum Marilyn Higginson, aged 63, of Spinney Avenue and her nan Dolly Higginson, aged 82, of Coronation Drive, are their longest serving customers.

Dolly, a customer for 63 years, said: "The staff are so helpful and always remember me when I walk through the door.

"It is a very personal service."

Conlons now employs seven staff and organised various events including parachute jumps and white water rafting to raise money for charity.