After all the presents have been opened and the buffet has been eaten, thoughts turn to new year and post-Christmas sales. Leicester’s independent opticians, Henry Smith & Hamylton, are launching a special sale after Christmas to tie in with all of those ‘New Year New Me’ resolutions.

If you want some new frames to suit your new look, or simply want to support local and receive excellent service then Henry Smith & Hamylton are on hand to help. They even stock a range made entirely from recycled ocean plastic waste. We caught up with them for this week’s BID Spotlight to find out more about what they’re up to.

Tell us a little about Henry Smith & Hamylton, where you’re located and what you offer?

We are a 4th generation, family run independent opticians, established in 1887 in Leicester, we have practices around Leicester with our flagship practice on Horsefair Street/Hotel Street in Leicester City Centre. We believe that everyone deserves the best, the best eyecare, the best choices and we want our patients to feel the best by offering our best. We do this by thinking independently, offering unique brands and experience.

You have a New Year sale launching after Christmas, what are some of the deals that people could pick up?

To celebrate the year 2020, we will be holding a 20% off January Sale on designer frame brands collections, Tom Ford, Gucci, Dior, Chanel,  Oakley, Polo, Tiffany, Persol, Ted Baker and Burberry to name but a few!!

As an independent business owner, how do you find Leicester as a city to run in?

Leicester is an interesting city, it is ever-evolving and it’s exciting to see the developments happening around us. There are so many creative and exciting Independent retailers in Leicester which really strengthens the city centre appeal and uniqueness.

What are some of your most popular products in store?

It’s a real mixture really. Our Sea2See collection is very popular, it is made entirely of recycled ocean plastic waste collected by fisherman. The founder who started the brand has totally revolutionised the industry and it is exclusive to us in Leicester! Tom Ford and Ted Baker are also very popular brands. Contact lenses are a very popular product too.

You’ve also recently refurbished your city centre practice, what improvement has this made to your customer offer?

We have! We knocked through into the next door unit (which used to be a card shop), which has created lots more space. We have named the new area ‘The Studio’ to reflect exciting new collections (3D printed eyewear, Sea2See, Bauhaus + a new wall dedicated to RayBan) but also we have been able to host events in conjunction with local craft people and businesses, for example spectacle case workshop where you can custom make your own spectacle case. We have also installed a contact lens recycling bin into the Studio area – we recycle any brand of contact lenses, CL blister pack & packaging and you don’t have to be our Patient to use this service!

How did you first get started as a business?

My Great-grandfather Mr W.H.Smith (Not that one!) opened up our first practice on Bosworth Street in a converted terrace house in 1887, where he provided excellent eyecare (& barometers!) to the people of Leicester & Leicestershire. In the 1950s Mr Smith (my Grandfather) moved our practice into Leicester City Centre onto Loseby Lane. A lot of people have fond memories of the practice including the small lift and tortoise in the window! In 1980 my father (Mr Smith no.3) expanded our practices around Leicester, we then moved into Horsefair Street where we have been for over 30 years!

What does 2020 hold for the business?

We have lots of exciting events coming up including exhibiting at the National Space Centre for the David Bowie experience to showcase the launch of our David Bowie tribute eyewear collection, so watch this space!

Where can people find out more about you, the new year sale and what’s coming up? 

We love instagram & Facebook! Over on @HenrySmithAndHamylton we regularly post out new arrivals, events and updates! You can also visit us online at www.smithandhamylton.com or simply pop into our practice at Henry Smith + Hamylton Opticians, The Gallery, 47 Horsefair St, Leicester. LE1 5BP.

 

Our BID Spotlight features are brought to you in collaboration with BID Leicester.

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