Conlons Opticians, Ranlegh Street, Liverpool 

Conlons. Were the difference they make, counts

There are some opticians that provide a nice ambiance, but offer a less-than-perfect service. Or provide a reasonably good service, in poor surroundings. On the other hand, Conlons provide both a perfect setting and a perfect service. 

My wife needed some new glasses. She had been rather badly let down by her previous optician (a somewhat self-important nationwide chain, which shall remain nameless!) and so it was that we found ourselves in Ranlegh Street, at the heart of Liverpool's bustling and vibrant city centre, outside Conlons Liverpool branch.

The first impression of an opticians is important. Conlons first impressions are of a friendly and professional workforce who operate in premises that are obviously designed to provide the best possible service to their customers. The waiting area has comfortable sofas and a high quality flatscreen TV (a boon to male visitors on the day in question: Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-1 at home!) daily newspapers and sweets for children and also for adults who care to indulge, too!

Upstairs boasts a separate waiting area for contact lens wearers, which is equally well-appointed, with another television set.

The whole examination process proved to be -for want of a better expression, something of an eye-opener. “I have never had an eye test that was so comprehensive!” enthused my wife, afterwards. “And the pre-examination check was the best I have received,” she pointed out to me, afterwards. “They asked me questions about my eyes that just don't seem to have occurred to other opticians I have been to.”

There is one thing that does concern me about most eye tests. The fact that even with some so-called high end opticians, much of the results of the eye test rely, ultimately,  on guesswork by either the patient or the optician. For example: “Which is best? Position one or position two?” As they twirl a lens before your eye, as you try hard to keep your head in an unnatural position, pressed up against a heavy and cold machine, as you try to focus your eye. And please don't get me started on the: “Which circles look sharper? Those on the red or the green background?” question. My answer during eye tests is often: “As I am colour-blind with a red-green deficiency, how would I know?”

This kind of guesswork just did not happen during my wife's eye test at Conlons in Liverpool. For the eye tests are undertaken using the very latest laser technology which shows the optician exactly how your eye is focusing. No need for guessing, or for: “No, hang on... I just can't tell!” any longer. 

And the equipment takes  a photograph of the back of each eye to further enable the optician to determine what -if anything- is wrong with the patient's eyes. Including identifying some potentially problematic medical  conditions that are not related to vision. (A discrete and caring approach was made to my wife, who was able to confirm that she was aware that there was a potential problem.) 

Whilst my wife was having her eyes tested, I sat in the comfortable waiting area and was able to observe that every person who visited the branch (there was a steady stream of clients) was treated in the same compassionate, friendly  and professional manner. One person left grinning when it turned out that what they had come to buy was on two for one offer! There were posters in the waiting area offering special deals on glasses and for contact lens wearers, always good to know.

For the fashion aware amongst you, you'll be pleased to know that Conlons stock a wide range of designer frames from Kio Yamoto, Nike, Gucci, Hackett, Chanel and many designers more from the exclusive world of top level designer frames. 

I chatted with branch manager and qualified dispensing optician Simon Moores. He had been with Conlons for 27 years, and had qualified in 1986, 22 years ago. It was obvious from his ebullient manner that he was very happy to be working for Conlons. It was clear his entire staff shared his enthusiasm for being a part of the Conlon family. And it is still very much a family concern, being founded in Liverpool 1882 by Bernard Conlon. And his descendants are still very much at the helm.

Upstairs Simon was proud to show us the optical laboratory and the up-to-date equipment tended by skilled staff. Not only does the examination use the latest technology, the optical laboratory uses the latest lens cutting and polishing equipment. Though for specialist jobs, the optical laboratory staff can still employ hand finishing techniques of lens grinding and polishing.

We both watched, fascinated, as the very large lens blanks were each cut down to size and polished and trimmed to the exact fit of the frames my wife had chosen. Conlons can generally have a pair of spectacles ready within the hour. 

There are branches of Conlons all over the North West, in North Wales, Cheshire, Leeds, the north East and in Dumfries, Scotland.

To find out more about Conlons visit their website at www.conlons.co.uk or call the freephone number 0800 402020. To book an appointment at the Ranlegh Street branch call 0151 709 4668.