Oculi: A Clear Vision
- Chesterfield Local
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Celebrating Five Fabulous Years at 420 Chatsworth Road
Words: Paul Chapman
Images: Reflections Magazine & Paul Chapman
When Kate Wain sat in Koo Café one morning back in 2020, she had no idea she was about to make a life-changing decision. Looking across the street, she spotted an empty property on Chatsworth Road. “One thing led to another,” she recalls with a smile. “Before I knew it, I was signing papers and opening an opticians in the middle of a global pandemic.”
It was a real leap of faith. “With no existing patient base and the challenges of opening a business between the two COVID lockdowns, I suppose the odds were stacked against us,” muses Kate with a smile. “The first two years were really tough,” she admits. “But we worked hard, and here we are, five years later, still growing and loving what we do.”
A Different Kind of Service: “I’d worked with the major chains for many years, and it wasn’t until I worked as a locum with several independent specialist businesses that I realised what a breath of fresh air this was. The way independents can offer their services and support is so different to the major chains and I have always been excited to think that this is how it works at Oculi Opticians.”
Kate works with the same two optometrists, Kathie and Chris, who started with the business back on 9 September 2020. “What makes us different is the personal side of things,” Kate explains. “Appointments are an hour long, we offer a thorough in depth eye examination with advanced equipment where we talk about the eye exam, it gives our optometrists the time they need to fully assess the needs of our patients and have the time to discuss any concerns. It's an all part of a personal service where we get to know each and every one of our patients - they become friends rather than customers."
"All aspects of examinations happen in one room, with one person, it’s about creating an experience where people feel understood and cared for, about building a relationship, so they want to come back and will tell their friends.”
“People who’ve come from the big high-street chains always tell us it’s a different experience here,” says Kate. “There’s no pressure, no rush. It’s just about helping people see, and feel, their best from start to end.”
Once examinations are complete Kate helps with frame selection, and she is a fully qualified Dispensing Optician as well as Contact Lens Practitioner qualified to dispense contact lenses so they can offer a full eyecare service.
“Being independent we have a significant freedom of choice, freedom to choose the brands we stock, the freedom to focus on service instead of sales targets,” she explains.
The frame selection reflects the freedom philosophy too, “We have a growing number of brands, some exclusive to us and include, Etnia Barcelona, Paul Smith, Vanni, Dutz and Lafont plus we have other ranges from Hackett, AllSaints, Blackfin, Wolf Eyewear and sports eyecare from Rudy Project and I’ve just introduced Johann Von Goisern to the growing collection!"
“It’s about offering choice,” Kate says, “something for every personality.”
Customers clearly agree, whilst I was in store chatting to Kate, a customer popped in with a gift just to say thank you - a small gesture that speaks volumes about the difference independent practices can. Then minutes after another customer called in, clearly delighted with the services Oculi offer.
Five Years On: “People Buy From People” Today, the practice is thriving with loyal patients returning each year for their eye examination, many recommending friends and family along the way. Word of mouth being a strong advert for Oculi’s services, but Kate still swears by her S40 and S41 Local magazine advertising.
Over the weekend of 6 September Oculi opened their doors for a day of celebration, inviting customers and friends down to mark this milestone. Five years on, Kate feels firmly rooted on Chatsworth Road, “It honestly feels more like three years because of Covid,” she laughs. “But being part of the Chatsworth Road community has been amazing. This is home now.”
“The joy of being a small independent,” says Kate. “It’s not just about glasses, it’s about good service, good eyewear, and lasting relationships - that’s what it’s all about, people.”
If you are in the need of an eye examination and associated services, Oculi are open Monday and Tuesday by appointment, then Wednesday to Saturday morning for drop in clients.
Oculi Opticians
420 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 3BQ.
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