If you've not stepped foot into Arbuthnot Opticians in Barry recently, you'll be in for a big surprise, as the practice has undergone a transformation. Vale Life talked to Optometrist and Partner James Davies on the changes.
A NEW LOOK
Why the refurb?
Quite simply to give our customers a great experience when they visit us. The service we offer and the technology and equipment we use is first-class . The frames and lenses we offer are stylish, unique and bang up-todate so we wanted our shop to reflect this and to give our customers an enjoyable shopping experience.
What changes have been made?
Arbuthnots stands out from the other opticians on the high-street. Bespoke hand-made units now display our products, so customers can easily browse and try on our frames, with enhanced lighting and lots of room. We want people to feel comfortable trying on frames and for it to be a pleasurable experience. There are also new consulting rooms for eye examinations and hearing tests on the ground floor. We know some people can find going for an eye test daunting, so we've tried to make Arbuthnots a welcoming and enjoyable practice to visit. Our new computer system means all of our customers' records are stored safely and securely and at a touch of a button we can bring up a customer's history.
We also have a dedicated room for our optical coherence tomographer, fundus camera and digital photographic slit lamp, which allow us to photograph and take 3D scans of your eyes. Anyone on our EyeCare Plan gets this as part of their eye test.
The only thing we haven't changed is our team of experts. Customers can expect the same level of professional and reliable service they have benefited from over the last 35 years.
Are you introducing new frames?
We're constantly sourcing and adding new frames and are committed to offering our customers something different. We stock a large number of designer frames which you won't see in the high street chains. We're a boutique shop and the refurbishment now means we can display even more, such as the bespoke Tom Davies range; frames that are truly unique to each individual.
Sunglasses are now more fashionable than ever thanks to Ray-Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim and many other brands. We'll also be using our new increased modernised display area to offer a wider range of these. Many sunglasses can also be made up to a customer's prescription. We know it's important for customers to look and feel good in their sunglasses, no matter what strength glasses they use. We also stock a range of sunglasses with tints made specifically for certain sports such as golf and cycling.
Can you tell us about the décor?
We've gone for a modern, light and airy feel which we hope is welcoming and different from any other opticians on the high street. The specially designed display furniture has a high-gloss ebony finish, and is complemented by calming décor which combines soft curves with natural tones and textures. The style reflects our commitment to customers, which is to provide a unique, enjoyable and professional service delivered by a team of optometry experts.
To celebrate our refurbishment we're offering three months of free contact lenses when customers sign up to our eyecare plan*. The Arbuthnot EyeCare Plan allows our patients and customers to make the most of our value, choice and care. The key benefits are all eyecare covered (including fundus photography and optical coherence tomography), examinations as often as you like, 33% off all glasses, peace of mind cover with the Arbuthnot Accidental Damage Scheme and reduced contact lens prices. See instore for more details.
*Conditions apply.
