Haverhill opticians named the UK's second best Family Practice of the Year
An opticians in Haverhill has been named runner up for a prestigious national award, the biggest in the sector.
Observatory the Opticians in Camps Road, just off the Market Square, was a finalist for the Family Practice of the Year category of the annual Optician Awards.
The awards have been running for more than 20 years and its black-tie ceremony is acknowledged as the annual highlight of the optical industry.
However, due to Covid-19, the awards were postponed before eventually taking place virtually earlier this month.
The award recognises a practice that has family values at its heart.
Judges were looking for evidence of how their family-orientated approach makes business sense and cements the practice’s position in the community.
Joanna Williams, senior optometrist at the practice, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be named as the second best family opticians in the UK, beating big city rivals.
“It was the first time the awards have ever awarded a runner-up, so it must have been a very close result.”
Practice manager Emma Mobbs, said: “We all got dressed up and watched the ceremony at home on Zoom which was a surreal experience.
“I prepared goody bags to try to make it feel like we were all together.
“It’s disappointing that we came so close to winning but mostly I feel honoured to be recognised for our great service, which I am very proud to be able to offer in Haverhill.”
Observatory the Opticians and its sister practice Wardale Williams also have practices in Ipswich, Beccles, Sudbury and Southwold in Suffolk, Halstead, Leigh-on-Sea and South Woodham Ferrers in Essex and Muswell Hill in north London.
The optical group were also finalists for Family Practice of the Year 2018 (Sudbury practice).
Joanna Williams was also a finalist in the Optometrist of the Year Category in 2017.
Other awards won by the optical group in recent years include Independent Practice of the Year 2014 (Beccles practice), Independent Practice of Year 2016 (Southwold practice) and Fashion Practice 2016 (Muswell Hill).
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