ICONIC DESIGN
Spectacles based on the iconic designs for John Lennon and Michael Caine sit alongside frames featuring semi-precious gems and exotic feathers at a professional new eyewear studio. Photography: Robin Lyndon
Having opened in Longridge just six weeks ago, opticians Longridge Eyewear offer NHS and private eye tests.
With its eye-catching industrial-style interior, this eyewear studio has a huge collection of bang on-trend designer frames – and when combined with the expertise of optician Mark Hornby, this makes it the go-to place for bespoke lenses and perfectly fitting glasses.
Mark, who is joined by assistants Joanne and Ashlea at Longridge Eyewear, has spent the majority of his career working with spectacles – making lenses, as a laboratory manager and as a dispensing optician – eventually opening up his own successful opticians in Lytham five years ago.
But what most people don’t know about Mark is that he is also a skilled shopfitter and he has been personally responsible for the stunning new re-fit of his new Longridge spectacle shop, which sees reclaimed pallets and bricks alongside old planking and even part of a vintage bike – reflecting Longridge Eyewear’s diverse collection of high-performance sunglasses for cyclists. These unique sunglasses have lenses that clip to the back for cyclists, who, as Mark points out, need sunglasses for cycling and prescription lenses, to check their Garmin bike computers.
“People have been blown away by the vast collection of frames that we have here. It’s all about the fashionable side of eyewear these days,” explains Mark, who stocks the likes of Hugo Boss, Polo, Ted Baker, Moschino, Kate Spade, La Matta, Rayban, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs and German-made Stepper frames that are moulded for a perfect fit on the bridge of a typical English nose!
“We are very friendly and informal here,” says Mark. “The most important aspect of choosing the right frames is that they have to fit correctly. I will gladly advise on the fit and lenses, but if the frames don’t fit perfectly I will do my best to talk someone out of buying them!”
Guess also has a collection of frames designed specifically for petite ladies, while La Matta designs feature gems and the collections from Coco Song see semi-precious stones and exotic bird feathers incorporated into the frames!
Quirky John Lennon style spectacles designed by Yoko Ono and the instantly recognisable Oliver Goldsmith frames designed for one of the first Michael Caine movies, also add a touch of vintage glamour to the collections at Longridge Eyewear, which also offers the latest high-tech Drivesafe lenses from Zeiss that feature a full UV anti-glare filter. With headlights much whiter and brighter than those of the old Cortinas from days gone by, Drivesafe lenses are perfect for night-driving along the country lanes of the Ribble Valley.
Longridge Eyewear is also a day centre for Amplifon, offering hearing tests and the very latest hearing technology.
Call Longridge Eyewear to make an appointment for an eye test on 01772 780370
Or alternatively call in to the shop to see the amazing collection of frames
Longridge Eyewear
42 Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3JJ
01772 780370
