Optom to appear on Channel 4 show

Optometrist and inventor Peter Greedy will appear on a new Channel 4 programme to pitch his product to a studio audience of 100 people.

During the 90-second pitch, Mr Greedy must convince the Buy it now audience, as well as a panel of professional buyers, that they should purchase a pair of Greeper shoelaces. Up for grabs is the opportunity to secure an order with a national retailer.

Invented by Mr Greedy around 16 years ago, Greeper laces are designed to prevent tied shoelaces ever becoming untied again.

Born out of frustrations that Mr Greedy had with his own shoelaces, the optometrist had what he describes as an “eureka moment” while driving up the M40 to an optical tradeshow.

“When I returned home from the conference, I grabbed a pair of my kid’s trainers and fiddled around until I got a prototype to work,” Mr Greedy shared. 

Mr Greedy later patented the idea and after leaving his role as European IT director at Bausch & Lomb, established Greepers.

Designed to remain tied to help people get in and out of footwear with ease, Greepers laces have received a positive reception from the triathlon sector, with a number of ambassadors endorsing the product. 

Mr Greedy explained that, outside of the sports sector, the laces have also proven useful to people who struggle to tie their shoelaces for a range of reasons, including having conditions such as ASD, aspergers, dyspraxia and cerebral palsy. 

As the inventor and owner of Greepers, Mr Greedy will appear on Buy in now on 16 May.

• Buy it now is presented by Brian Conley and is airing on Channel 4 at 5.30pm every weekday.