A Twickenham optometrist which has become a community institution is marking its centenary with a day of celebration on Thursday, 18 June.
Robert Frith Optometrists is celebrating its 100th anniversary and has been located on Heath Road since 1926 originally under the name Frith Bros.
Alongside drinks and nibbles for neighbours and patients on Thursday, representatives from Ray-Ban and Oakley who are joining with exclusive discounts and prize draws.
Assistant manager Himi Bajwa said: “We are woven into the history of Twickenham.
“We provide a sense of continuity and trust that is becoming rarer on modern high streets”.
From 1926 eye care to AI collaborations, the evolution of the industry alongside the store, which specialises in eye-heath treatment and products, is remarkable.
Ray-Ban and Oakley have turned glasses and sunglasses into style statements and high-performance sports gear accessories.
Blending cameras into the frames in innovative wearable technology shows the direction the future of the optical industry is going.
Bajwa said: “At Robert Frith, we have always prided ourselves on being at the absolute forefront of technological advances, long before other opticians catch up.
“Reaching a century is a massive collective achievement for our staff and our loyal patients, and we can’t wait to celebrate the last 100 years while looking forward to the next”.
In a time when people want speed and efficiency, they are not rushing patients through an assembly line, but spending dedicated time with revolutionary technology to ensure the best care.
It is part of the reason Bajwa believes Robert Firth is a household name within the Twickenham community.
Bajwa said: “We look after generations of the same families.
“It’s incredibly special to test the eyes of a grandparent, and then years later, help their grandchildren choose their very first pairs of frames”.
Namesake Robert Frith was regarded as a friendly and familiar face to those residents he tested over the years, but sadly passed away in 2021.
It was that reputation as a prestigious, long-standing independent practice which attracted Bajwa to the business.
Bajwa said: “My journey in optics actually started way back in 2004 when I was just 15 years old.
“I fell in love with the profession early on because it perfectly bridges clinical healthcare with personal, face-to-face community service.”
This renowned reputation gained the store a very special superhero visitor when Marvel were filming in the area and needed urgent clinical attention.
“It was a real privilege that when a major global star needed expert, trusted eye care in a hurry.
“Every single one of our patients gets the Hollywood treatment!”
Reaching 100 years is an immense milestone for any independent business.
Feature image: Ifiok Awak-Essien
