A Market Deeping opticians only had one person in mind when it was looking for a VIP to open its newly relocated branch in the town.
Ken Taylor, 80, has been a customer at Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care for 20 years and credits the team, now based in Market Place, with saving his life. He officially opened the branch, cutting the ribbon in front of staff and customers.
Ten years ago Ken was diagnosed with a life threatening brain tumour following a standard eye test at Scrivens. He was only given a 50:50 chance of surviving the operation, and after more than two years of intensive psychotherapy and physiotherapy he is now living life to the full.
Ken said: “I owe my life to the brilliant team at Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care. I tell anyone I meet how important it is to get your eyes tested regularly – it could save your sight, and even your life.”
The new branch, managed by Jeanette Green, now boasts four testing rooms for sight, hearing and contact lenses. It showcases the latest testing equipment including an OCT (optical coherence tomography) scanner, which offers an advanced scan that allows opticians to assess eye health in detail, and detect sight-threatening – and even life threatening – conditions.
Jeanette said: “We are delighted with our new look branch, where we can now meet growing demand for our sight and hearing services by doubling our testing capacity, supported by advanced testing equipment and an extended range of designer frames, with parking down the side making us even more accessible.
“To have Ken open our branch is the cherry on the cake – he is always a pleasure to see and so happy go lucky, so we couldn’t think of anyone better to be our VIP.”
Ken, who was married to Eileen for 53 years before she died of Covid during the pandemic, was equally delighted to be chosen for his star turn. He said: “I was thrilled and surprised to be asked to open the branch. We always have a laugh when I pop in, and being their VIP gave me the chance to thank the team for saving my life. I will never forget what they did and continue to do for me. I wish them the very best of luck, as Jeanette and the team deserve it.”
Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care was established in 1938. It has 166 high street branches in towns and cities across England and Wales and over 1,000 employees. For more information, visit www.scrivens.com.
