Optician celebrates five-year milestone as she looks ahead

Anne Gill Eyecare, in North End, Portsmouth, launched in January 2013 with a receptionist and optometrist Julie Wadey.

Now she has doubled her staff with a second optometrist, Richard Candlin, and apprentice Paris Carrington-Windo.

Anne said: ‘The growth of the business has been down to the incredible encouragement and support we have received from the local community and various partners which was clear to see at our party.

‘When I look back on the past five years, we have achieved more than I ever imagined.’

Guests enjoyed food, cake and celebratory drinks to toast the venture.

Anne was made redundant in July 2011 after 35 years in the business.

The optician she had worked for in North End since 1975 was taken over by a large corporation.

She picked herself up and started working for various opticians.

But she launched her own business five years ago and has gone from strength to strength.

Now Anne is hoping to grow her firm even further, with plans for new projects.

She said: ‘We have some big projects for the business this year which will be of tremendous benefit to both new and existing customers.

‘I am passionate about eye care and want to bring everything I possibly can to the people of Portsmouth.’

In addition to eye tests, prescription glasses and seeing patients referred by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Anne has invested in specialist optometry equipment.

That has included ground-breaking US technology, Tear Lab, that has revolutionised treatment of cases of dry eye, and a topographer to fight short-sightedness in children.