Edney & Edney has refurbished a former hairdresser’s premises, installing a brand-new consulting room with the latest screening equipment, alongside a boutique showroom, with the help of a £120,000 loan from Lloyds Bank.
Opening in October, the luxury store is already having to re-forecast its turnover estimates after enjoying unprecedented success, with 140 patients on its books.
Run by husband and wife duo Jamie and Ayshah Edney, who together have over 40 years’ experience in the eye care industry, the business aims to offer customers a different optometrist service. The store sources artisan eyewear from across the globe, including Germany and Italy. The independent opticians also work with luxury fashion houses to provide eyewear from established designer brands.
Alongside this, Edney & Edney offer screening for common eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
The business is now looking to hire a local trainee optician and hopes to extend its customer base across the wider region by growing its reputation for high-quality service and eyewear.
Jamie Edney, Co-founder of Edney & Edney, said: “We want to offer our customers a high-quality eyewear service, from start to finish. It’s so important that patients can receive a thorough eyecare consultation and can choose from the best eyewear available on the market. That’s why we’ve installed state-of-the-art screening equipment and consulting room in-store which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Lloyds Bank.
“We’ve had such a great response to the store and glasses, which is especially rewarding as a family business. We take our time to help customers choose the best design for them. Seeing them leave with a shiny new pair of glasses and a huge smile on their face is what it’s all about for us.”
Paul Green, Senior Relationship Manager for South East SME Banking, added: “Jamie and Aysha have created a unique business in the heart of Kent. They’re enjoying such early success due to the winning combination of vast industry experience, first-class equipment and their attention to customer service.
“It’s been a pleasure to enable the business to offer high-class eyecare services to customers. Supporting businesses like Edney & Edney is all part of our commitment to helping Britain prosper. Over the past six years we’ve increased our net lending to SME’s by 30% while the market has contracted by 11%.”
