40 years on: Specsavers Swindon celebrates milestone anniversary

A Swindon optometry practice has celebrated its 40^th anniversary.

Specsavers Swindon opened on the High Street in 1985, with optometrist and director, David Grieves, opening its doors. Grieves remains at the practice after four decades and celebrated the anniversary alongside his own milestone.

To mark the milestone, Grieves, alongside the practice’s three other directors, Simon Webdale, Paul Ewah and Kane Akers, were joined by Specsavers CEO, John Perkins.

Perkins raised the team’s commitment to the local community during the visit celebrating the anniversary.

“Such a significant milestone deserves to be recognised, and David, along with the entire team should rightly be very proud,” Perkins said.

When the practice opened in 1985, it had six staff and two testing rooms, and has grown over the last four decades, undergoing a £500,000 refit, which included a £100,000 investment in new testing equipment, last year.

Today, the team to now 70-strong and has 15 test rooms.

“It’s clear that Specsavers Swindon has gone from strength to strength and it’s fantastic to see the business celebrating and marking such a notable achievement,” Perkins added.

“A lot has changed in 40 years, but we remain dedicated to looking after the eyes, and ears, of the local community. We don’t often get to take stock and look back, but this anniversary celebration has meant I’ve been able to do just that,” Grieves said.

Grieves reflected that the practice has worked, “extremely hard to make sure we haven’t stayed still and have been able to change and adapt.”

“The recent practice revamp is an example of this, helping to elevate the experience for everyone who comes through the door,” he explained.

“We’re hugely grateful for the success we’ve had and are looking forward to the future with positivity and enthusiasm,” he added.