Healthcare professionals, local business owners, patients and members of South Tyneside Council visited South Shields’ oldest independent opticians yesterday to celebrate the store’s 100th anniversary.
Sidney Walton Opticians Ltd was founded by Sidney Walton in 1926 before being taken over by fellow local optometrist, Herbert Marsden, in the 1950s.
Following Mr Marsden’s death in 2006, the historic practice – which had amassed a loyal local customer base – had closed down and the building was put up for sale, before being purchased and reinvented as S Walton Eyecare by optometrist Kaye Winship.
Under Kaye’s stewardship, the store has continued to thrive and is now unrecognisable from its earlier days, expanding its optical offering to include advanced eyecare services not available on the NHS, OCT scanning, myopia control and dry eye clinics, as well as hearing care services delivered by qualified audiologists, wax removal and podiatry services.
The practice also stocks a range of designer and luxury brands such as Gucci, Tom Ford, Ray Ban, Oakley, Gant and Michael Kors, a diverse and stylish range of non-designer brands to suit all tastes and budgets and recently launched Ray Ban Meta AI Intelligent Eyewear which is proving particularly popular in assisting patients with sight loss.
Kaye said:
“I think what has really set us apart from other opticians in the area and has been key to our success is the fact that we really take the time to spend more time and to listen to our customers.
“Our eye tests typically take twice as long as our competitors, as we really take the time to go into detail with our customers and help solve their problems.
“We have also tried to build on the legacies of Sidney and Herbert by continuing to give back to the local community, assisting local charities in their work, and sponsoring local rugby teams and MMA champions. We also provide NHS eye tests to the homeless through our work with EMMAUS.
“We are incredibly proud to be a South Shields business with deep roots in the town. There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.”
S. Walton Eyecare’s efforts to support the local community also saw it become one of over 400 organisations to sign the South Tyneside Pledge, a commitment to boost local economic activity, reduce health inequalities, lower carbon emissions and enhance civic pride across the borough.
Kaye added:
“None of this would be possible had it not been for the support we’ve received from organisations such as South Tyneside Council and TEDCO over the years and getting involved in initiatives such as the South Tyneside Pledge,” Kaye added.
“Over the last few years, we have secured a grant for a new website, received business coaching and have attended events to help grow the business, all of which have been key to helping us continue moving forward.
“It’s lonely being a business owner at times, but the fantastic business support ecosystem we have here really brings us together and has hopefully helped ensure we can continue trading for another 100 years.”
Kaye and the team were joined for the celebration by The Mayor of South Tyneside Council, Cllr Stan Wildhirt, as well as representatives from global brand Oakley, local businesses and customers. Kaye added:
“It was fantastic having the Mayor of the Council and so many of our customers, partners and local businesses join us to celebrate the store’s 100th anniversary.
“We have certainly had our challenges over the years, like every high street retailer, however the support from the people and businesses of Shields has never waned, so it was fitting that we were able to share this historic moment with them.
“Without the support of our amazing customers and local business community over the years, this would never have been possible.”
Cllr Wildhirt, Mayor of South Tyneside, said:
“It was great to join Kaye and the team to mark the 100th anniversary of S. Walton Eyecare yesterday.
“At a time when high street businesses are really feeling the pinch, it is fantastic to see historic independent businesses like S Walton continuing to invest in their towns and providing such a crucial service for local people. The company is a true South Tyneside success story.”
For more information about the optician see: Opticians South Shields (S. Walton Eyecare) 100 Years of Trusted Care
For more information on the South Tyneside Pledge see: The Pledge – Invest South Tyneside
