Colin Lee Opticians, currently celebrating its 30th birthday, has thanked its longest serving patients – who came across their practice by mistake 29 years ago and have been coming back ever since.
When Eric Dixon first visited Colin Lee in Stone Cross, West Bromwich, in 1979 he had been recommended by his brother – but only realised later that he had meant a different opticians.
But he liked the practice so much – impressed by the ‘feel’ of a family business – that he and his wife Mary have been going ever since.
Eric, 75, a retired production supervisor, from Great Barr, came for his first check-up at Colin Lee in September 1979, with his wife Mary, 74, a retired secretary, following him soon after.
The couple went to the Stone Cross practice, and then to Great Barr, when the business transferred to the Scott Arms Shopping Centre.
At that time, the company had just one practice, which Colin Lee himself had fitted out and built up from scratch, whilst today, there are seven across Staffordshire and the West Midlands.
Mr Lee said as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations he had asked staff to look through their records in order to find the patients who had been coming to them the longest, and was delighted to hear it was the Dixons.
He had first dispensed Mr Dixon’s glasses 29 years ago, and had come to know the couple really well over the coming years.
“I was really proud to see them still with us after all these years,” said Colin, who along with his wife Linda, who co-founded the company with him, presented the couple with a bouquet of flowers.
“The fact that we have such loyalty from our customers like Eric and Mary is a testament to the quality of service we give to people and will continue to give for the next 30 years.
“It is a loyalty on both sides, and we appreciate that, and do our utmost to look after our patients.”
The Dixons said they were equally delighted to have been found to be the longest-serving patients, and put their loyalty down to great service.
“I came to Colin Lee first in 1979, albeit by mistake, and I’ve come here ever since,” said Mr Dixon.
“My brother had told me he went to an opticians in West Bromwich, and it was only when I was explaining to him how impressed I was that we realised they were different opticians.
“I’ve stayed with Colin Lee because the quality of the service has been first-class, I wouldn’t go anywhere else, it’s been wonderful,” said Mr Dixon.
“When you go somewhere for 30 years you know it’s the right place,” added Mrs Dixon.
“It’s like becoming part of the family, all the staff here are very helpful.”
Eric added: “It is a smaller family business which is better than one of these big concerns where the optician or the receptionist keeps changing and you’re only a number. Colin served me when I first came here in 1979 and we know Colin and Linda very well.”
The couple said they had seen many changes over the last 29 years, but thankfully, some constants too.
“There are more glasses to choose from now and it’s a great selection. The look of the practice has changed but the attitude of the staff hasn’t changed as the business has grown, they’ve always been very friendly,” added Mr Dixon.
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