Paralympian Harriet Lee was guest of honour at Vision Express Newcastle on Friday 10th July, as she helped with an official ribbon cutting to unveil the national optical retailer’s new home in Eldon Square.
The opening came as Vision Express and the Macular Society welcomed the first ever Macular Week (6-12 July 2015). The inaugural awareness campaign aims to raise awareness of macular conditions while fundraising for the charity.
Moving from its former home on Northumberland Street, Vision Express has traded in Newcastle for 26 years. Together, the 18-strong store team has combined optical experience of more than 80 years.
With new facilities and the latest state-of-the-art examining equipment, the new store will deliver an individual and thorough vision care service to the local community.
Harriet, 23, is an ambassador for Vision Express and is currently based in the North East while she studies at Northumbria University. At present, she is training for the 2016 Paralympic Games and hopes to bring home more medals for Britain after winning a Paralympic bronze in the breaststroke 100 metres, during London 2012.
Harriet Lee said: “It was great to join the team and help welcome them into their stunning new home in Eldon Square. The new store looks fantastic; it has real kerb-appeal as well as an excellent range of optical and sun frames.”
Sharron Gordon-Yule, Vision Express Newcastle store manager, added: “Our thanks go to Harriet for making our grand unveiling so special – it was great morale boost for the team to hear how her training is going for the 2016 Paralympic Games and she was extremely impressed with the look and feel of our new home.”
Vision Express offers an eye test to best practice guidelines of the College of Optometrists (COO), with each Vision Express optometrist being a qualified eye health professional. To find your nearest store to book an eye test visit www.visionexpress.com/
Caption: L-R Vision Express Newcastle team Sharron Gordon-Yule, Rob Hampson, Harriet Lee, Shadiya Amer, Sue Wales & Tom Taylor.
About Vision Express
Vision Express has over 390 stores nationwide and continues to maintain its position as one of the leading and most trusted opticians in the UK and Ireland.
Since its conception in 1988, Vision Express has gone from strength to strength, focusing on customer service in order to provide the best individual optical care and deliver the best service, the right product and great value. Vision Express has a vast range of genuine designer brands and the latest technology lenses, through to complete glasses from £39.
As part of it commitment to Vision. Taken Seriously, and as a responsible and caring optical retailer, Vision Express has partnered with a selection of healthcare charities which have touched the lives of Vision Express customers and teams.
These organisations provide vital support to people affected by vision-related conditions. They are part of the Vision Express Charitable Foundation and include:
- Alzheimer’s Research UK
- Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT)
- International Glaucoma Association
- Macular Society
- Stroke Association
- Temple Street University Hospital.
To find out more about the Vision Express Charitable Foundation please visit: www.visionexpress.com/