Templeman Opticians directors, Ian and Rachel Harrison, tell Nub News about how they adapted during the pandemic, their combined 70 years' experience, and their latest venture: reopening Upstairs Downstairs.

The name 'Templeman Opticians' will be familiar to most Maldonians since the High Street staple was opened in 1986, by the late George Templeman.

In 2019, seasoned optician Ian Harrison spotted the practice up for sale, so he and wife Rachel decided to purchase it.

Rachel said: "It was a really exciting opportunity."

"It was a really exciting opportunity." Rachel Harrison, Director of Templeman Opticians

Both Ian and Rachel are opticians by trade, with nearly seven decades of experience between them. Ian has lived in Maldon since 1984, while Rachel has lived in the town since 2001.

They finally took over on 3 March 2020, just 20 days before the first nationwide lockdown came into place.

Ian has managed a number of opticians throughout his 46-year career, and Rachel has over 22 years' experience in the industry, as well as providing paediatric care in Broomfield and St Peter's hospitals (Photo: Nub News)

While many businesses shut up shop for the foreseeable, Ian, Rachel and the team worked hard to keep the practice going, decorating it and serving patients.

Following lockdown restrictions, Rachel and Ian personally delivered orders of glasses to customers, passing them over garden gates and outside front doors across the county. They delivered to patients in Maldon, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford and more.

The couple 'inherited' the practice's two current opticians and kept their patient bases.

"All the instrumentation here was older than we were, so we had to order new equipment," Ian recalled.

"We got everything in place, but of course the manufacturers weren't working, so we had to wait for the equipment to come."

Rachel and Ian went into work every morning, answering emergency calls from customers who had broken their glasses and needed replacements.

The range of glasses on offer includes big name brands such as Jimmy Choo and Cartier (Photo: Nub News)

The business reopened on 15 June 2020, with all staff using PPE, and was 'semi-busy' to begin with. However, by July, it had gone 'absolutely berserk', as an influx of customers working from home began to get their glasses locally, instead of nearer to their workplaces.

Ian remembered: "It never stopped – we were working six days a week."

"It never stopped – we were working six days a week." Ian Harrison, Director of Templeman Opticians

 "We were really proud of ourselves," Rachel said.

The team took on two extra optometrists, along with optical assistants and a receptionist.

More than a year on demand has remained high, although it has wavered recently. They believe this is down to 2-year vision test reminders not being sent out as the practice was closed to the public for a significant period.

However, they are confident trade will pick up again as those who 'drifted' to online shopping return to Templeman Opticians for help.

Rachel and Ian by their carefully-arranged shop window (Photo: Nub News)

Ian said: "Customers who've bought their glasses online have found they're cheap, or don't fit properly as they haven't had proper measurements."

Rachel's attractive window displays have enticed locals to purchase 'high-quality' glasses.

Ian said: "We've had £1,000 Cartier glasses selling within 15 minutes of going in the shop window."

All measurements for varifocals are COVID-secure, as they are taken using a 3D image of the patient through an innovative eye scan technology called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The new equipment came with a hefty £8,000 price tag, but it allows the team to provide individual, bespoke lenses.

During the pandemic, testing times were increased from 25 to 45 minutes, to allow the team to clean the testing room.

The extended testing times are still in place, which now allow patients to discuss their scan results with the optometrist in the testing room, for their 'peace of mind'.

 Templeman exclusively uses 'high-quality' German Rodenstock lenses. All its designer brands are made in Italy or Japan.

The couple have researched brands they feel are a good fit for their customers, including Gucci, Dior, and Jimmy Choo.

Ian said: "Glasses are still a bit of a grudge purchase, but we're fighting that battle."

On Friday 22 July, the couple will 'officially' launch their latest venture: Upstairs Downstairs in Edwards Walk, Maldon. After taking over from previous owners Andrew and Gill Wilson in April last year, the couple have 'completely refurbished' the much-loved local shop.

Rachel and Ian in the newly-renovated Upstairs Downstairs (Photo: Nub News)

Maldon Town Mayor Andrew Lay is expected to attend the opening, giving the new owners a chance to show off their updated range of stock alongside the old favourites.

Speaking of her excitement ahead of the opening, Rachel said: "We love our town, and love being in the hub of it all."

To find out more about Templeman Opticians, visit the website.