Through a new lens at the new Olwell opticians in Longford since Grafton fire

There was a celebratory atmosphere around Hazelwood Shopping Centre last week when optician, Stephen Olwell and his team, officially unveiled their state-of-the-art new premises, marking the end of a hugely challenging 12 months.

At the end of July 2024, Stephen was forced to close his Grafton Court premises as a result of the extensive damage sustained during efforts by the emergency services to bring a nearby property fire under control. Sadly, his business was one of several impacted by the blaze at the time.

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Now, just two months settled in at their new address of Hazelwood Shopping Centre, Stephen tells the Longford Leader of the good that has come from such a stressful period.

“We have been able to create a brand new space. We worked on the designs of our old space and even enhanced them to make everything that bit better.

“Now we have a new state-of-the-art eye testing room, and a bespoke boutique shopping area where we can really push the boat out when helping people choose suitable glasses.

“We don't like to have customers stand in front of a wall of glasses and ask them to do the work.

Instead, we prefer to sit them down with a cup of tea, coffee, and some biscuits, and allow them to chill out as we help them select their new eyewear. In a lot of ways our new premises is actually better than before.”

Speaking about the benefits of their new location, Stephen added, “We're really enjoying being in our new location, and we enjoy being just that little bit out of town.

There's ample free parking for people so no one is in a hurry which suits us because we like to take our time with customers, figure out their wants and needs before they choose the kind of glasses they want. In town, with the paid parking, everybody was always in a hurry back to the car to make sure that they didn't overstay their time limit and get a fine of 70 euro.”

Reflecting on the sudden closure of his previous premises, Stephen recalled the warm support he received from fellow business owners in the town.

“There were very kind people around the town who were a great help to us. For instance, Padraic Ward of Wards Pharmacy on Ballymahon Street contacted us shortly after the fire and offered us the former spa above his pharmacy as a place where we could regroup; a place to base ourselves for the year. We were very, very thankful for that help because it meant we were able to keep working, which was brilliant. Even now in our new location, we've been really made to feel at home by our neighbours, the ladies in Zara Hair, Wards Pharmacy, SuperValu, and the Gallery Cafe. Everyone has been great to us.”

Stephen added, “It's been a very trying year but I have to say, I fully realised the worth of the people I work with during that time. I have 3 staff who work with me - Marie, Amy, and Holly - and all throughout the year they really pulled out all the stops to, first, create a new space in Wards Pharmacy and then later, to help to create this new space we have now in Hazelwood.

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They were instrumental in the design process but also in pushing the boat out when it came to making our customers feel at home here and in providing exceptional service.”

Stephen Olwell Opticians is located in the Hazelwood Shopping Centre and can also be found online at stephenolwellopticians.com