An empty shop on Brook Street, Tavistock just got a new lease of life as an independent opticians.

The premises had been vacant since Scruples moved across the street five years ago. The lovely character building was taken over last summer by family-ran opticians Iconic Opticians and completely refurbished before opening its doors in October.

Proprietor and dispensing optician, Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, said: ’This area of town already has some vibrant, independent shops which offer a more personalised experience than multiple chains and we’re really looking forward to contributing to the dynamic future of this part of town.’

The independent business, which has been running a practice in Plymouth city centre successfully for nearly seven years, took its first step to expand when it took over a refurbished unit in Plymstock Broadway in February 2020, just a month before the first lockdown. The two practices remained opened throughout the pandemic to provide essential eye care services to their patients.

‘Looking out for the community is important to us, thus our decision to come further afield and open up a branch in the beautiful market town of Tavistock,’ said Dinesh.

Iconic Opticians have seen nearly 4,000 patients across their practices since they first opened their doors in Plymouth in 2015 and have thrived with the support of their patients.

‘Competing against the big high street names is a challenge, but I think the key is to provide an affordable, individualised service. Every eye is unique and deserves to receive unique care.

‘We believe in taking our time with our patients and never rushing during an eye examination, hence all our examinations takes at least 45 minutes. Patients over the age of 70 or under the age of seven automatically get a one hour slot,’ said Dinesh.

The business has an NHS provision and prides themselves in being a one-stop practice.

‘Having all the necessary contracts in place with Primary Eye Care Devon allows us to provide NHS-funded enhanced eye care services to the local community. This means that as well as getting routine eye examinations, our patients are also able to have post-cataract checkups and minor eye care (MECS) from us locally rather than having to go to Derriford and Peninsula.’

The opticians, which also offers glaucoma follow up appointments in Plymouth and Plymstock, is looking to bring this service to its Tavistock branch in the coming month.

‘Sight is a very precious sense and we are passionate about providing continual care to patients of all ages,’ said Dinesh.

As part of this continual care, the business recently introduced an Eyeplan® care scheme which provides patients with unlimited eye examinations and emergency eye care appointments throughout the year, as well as accidental damage cover on spectacles and reduced prices on frames and lenses.

As part of its success, the business constantly reinvests its profits back into the company by getting further equipment with the latest technologies and aims to be self-sufficient in every aspect. As part of this, it has its own in-store lab in Plymouth, which enables the business to provide quick turnaround times.

‘We have a large range of spectacle frames and stock over 1,000 single vision prescription lenses in practice. Having our own lab in Plymouth means that we can make a new pair of spectacles or prescription sunglasses in as little as 30 minutes and get them delivered in no time to our Plymstock and Tavistock branches,’ said Dinesh.

The Tavistock practice stocks big brands such as Oliver Peoples, Moscot, Wolf, Philip Starck, Persol, Oakley, Maui Jim etc and is the only independent opticians that exclusively supplies Zeiss and Hoya lenses.

‘As an independent opticians we are not contracted to a specific lens supplier, we can go to any supplier and get the best lenses for our patient’s requirements,’ said Dinesh.