An independent optical practice was the sole Irish winner in Britain’s prestigious annual Optician Awards, held at a star-studded black-tie event in London last week.
Rachel Murray, a Sligo-based optometrist, was presented with the award for Best Fashion Practice at the Hilton, Park Lane in an event attended by more than 500 of the UK’s top opticians and optometrists including Specsavers founder Dame Mary Perkins.
In all,18 trophies were awarded in ‘the Oscars of the eyecare trade’, spanning the gamut of the profession’s disciplines, products and practices. Entres came from across categories highlighting technology, fashion, artificial intelligence and themes such as sustainability.
The awards, organised by Britain’s respected trade publication Optician, attracted entrants from across the UK and Ireland with Rachel Murray collecting her award for Best Fashion Practice – the first time an Irish business has won the award.
In the citation for Best Fashion Practice, presented by TV star and comedian Russell Kane, the judges’ citation said of Rachel Murray’s practice:
“The panel singled out one which brought an extra sense of style. This entrant offered superb customer care conducted in a beautifully set-out practice. It takes a minimalistic approach which embodies an understanding of luxury retailing. By stocking just a single frame from each collection, it ensures local exclusivity to discerning customers.”
Commenting, Rachel Murray, who is this year celebrating the 10th anniversary of opening her practice in Sligo, said:
“I am astounded that out of a room of 550 of the best people in the optical trade in the UK and Ireland including Dame Mary Perkins, that we have been recognised for what we are doing in our little practice in the West of Ireland.
“We had so many practice owners coming over congratulating us and wanting to chat and discuss what we do and how we do it – imposter syndrome definitely kicked in.
“It is the first time that an Irish Practice has ever won Fashion Practice of the Year and to win this in London, among some of the biggest names in the trade, is a wonderful testament to all the hard work of our team over the past 10 years.
“Our aim is to make each one of our clients look good and fell great in their eyewear. We wouldn’t have been able to enter without our clients’ support with many travelling great distances to choose eyewear from us. The fact that our clients love what we do so much was a big part of winning this award.”
