85 Years In The Making
2011 was the 85th anniversary of the founding of Robert Frith Optometrists (then called Frith Bros). January this year saw all the current staff joined by many past ones celebrating the date with special dinner at Oborn Grange. It is an interesting history and worth a mention on our blog.
It was 85 year ago that John Frith started his business in Heath Road Twickenham. As was the fashion in those days John's business wasn't just an Ophthalmic Opticians but a Photographers and Chemists too. When the time came to hand the business on John was lucky enough to have his 3 nephews working with him, unsurprisingly one was a photographer, one a pharmacist and of course Robert an optometrist. That Robert combined his studies with a successful career as an athlete (Holding various records for 60 meter sprint). Time passed and the three businesses were split apart making the Frith name ubiquitous in Twickenham. Expanding to take on the adjacent premises Robert Frith Optometrists remains in Heath Road today as the premier practice in Twickenham.
Some 35 years ago Robert was visiting friends in Shaftesbury and fell in love with the Town in particular and Dorset in general, such is the draw of the area that he opened the practice in Shaftesbury at the top of Gold Hill and moved his family to the local village of Marnhull. The business was successful because of Roberts driving passion for great service combined with unswerving commitment to quality and value.
It was about this time that many of the large multiple opticians were appearing and Robert quickly realised that weak spot in their businesses was getting the same commitment from employees that he had as the practice owner and it was from this that he launched the first partnership with young newly qualified optician who had done his professional qualifying exams under Roberts guidance and so the current business model was born. The Shaftesbury practice expanded and moved to its current location and the group now boasts 11 practices each run by a partner who through ownership share Robert’s original vision.
That we thrive on patient referral rather than massive advertising campaigns and the fact that we have many staff who choose to spend their entire careers with us is a testament to a vision founded 85 years ago that is as relevant to today as it was then.