Posts in Local Community

Peter , 33, is strategic director at Conlons Opticians, based in Liverpool and with branches throughout the North West. He lives with his wife and two young children in Heswall

6:45 am: The new day is introduced either by alarm or, more often, by one of my children, Oliver, four, or Charlotte, one. I always get tea for my wife and milk for Oliver and Charlotte, while they come to.

7.25 am: After a quick shower, change and bowl of cereal, I am in the car listening to the news and music until I get to our head office on Mount Pleasant, Liverpool. This was our original branch, set up by my great-great- grandfather, in 1882.

8am: I almost invariably find I am beaten in by our managing director, who works tirelessly from morning to night. The dishwasher is unloaded and the coffee is created to ensure the brain engine is turned to "on".

My first jobs are getting up to date with emails and other administrative tasks. We have recently updated our website so I have lots of emails today to deal with relating to this. I open my post and some lovely photos and a thank you note arrive from some friends of Conlons who recently led a pilgrimage to Lourdes – we provided some funding which went towards helping some very ill children be able to go and for the cost of doctors to accompany them. I will speak to the team about putting the pictures on our blog.

9am: Everyone else has arrived in the office, usually they have very smiley faces, although today everyone looks a bit more tired than usual as we have just returned from our two-day annual conference in Llandudno, which was a great success. Each year, we have a gala dinner where there was lots of celebrating as several staff received awards for their staff loyalty and outstanding customer service.

I normally have a meeting at 9.30am and today it is at our meeting rooms here with one of our suppliers, Jimmy Choo, to discuss their up- and-coming ranges.

11am: Meeting with our new hearing aid manager, Graham Roberts, and marketing director Lyndsay Johnson. We are currently launching a range of hearing tests and products, and there is lots to do on the marketing side of this that we discuss.

12:30pm: A quick chicken sandwich with my father, who is chairman of Conlons, and wants to catch up on property matters and the next branch refit we will be working on. I also have a quick walk round the block to get some fresh air.

1.30pm: Meeting with our website team from Lancaster – we have just launched a new blog that we are really pleased with, and there are a few technical issues to be discussed.

3:30pm: Meeting with our branch manager Simon Moores, at our Ranelagh Street branch, Liverpool, to discuss some new designer frames we will be stocking. I also congratulate Simon and three other members of staff – Neill Hannah, Sue Judic and Marie Wood – who are celebrating 100 years of working at the Liverpool branch between them.

5.30pm: I leave for home so I’m back in time for bath and bedtime for Ollie and Lottie – tonight it is Peppa Pig and lots of splashing in the bath.

7.30pm: Dinner with my wife, Rachel – we always try to sit down together at the table to eat. Tonight it is salmon teriyaki and noodles washed down with a beer and some ice-cream for pudding – it’s my favourite and a bit of a treat.

8.30pm: Tonight we are not doing anything, so I will put in an hour or so of work to ensure I’m prepared for the next day. I also like to fit in gym, squash, meet with friends, etc, so regularly do this in the evenings, too.

9:30pm: I relax in front of the TV with Rachel before bed. It’s the election debate, so perhaps not so relaxing.

A CUMBRIAN opticians' branch has recorded impressive financial results despite the recession.

Staff at Conlons in Penrith were honoured for their achievements at the firm's annual awards ceremoney.

They received the prize for most impressive turnaround figure, which marks the highest improvement of turnover from last year. It was presented to staff by Conlons chairman Mike Barton.

He said: "Our team at Penrith consistently provide a top level of service and I'd like to thank them all for their loyalty, hard work and dedication."

A LONG-serving employee has been honoured for her dedication at an optician's.

Stephanie Kerr has clocked up 15 years of service at Conlons Opticians in Shotton and was presented with an award at a company ceremony in Llandudno.

Conlons chairman Mike Barton said: "Stephanie has proved that her positive attitude and tight controls are a winning formula for success. Over the last 15 years, 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."

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."

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.

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.