Historic Wigmore St practice visit

From left: Les Thomas, Sarah Gilbert, Brenda Rennie, Irute Kleve and Alistair Bridge

ABDO visited Boots Opticians’ recently-refurbished store in Wigmore Street, London, this week as part of its year-long programme celebrating 100 years of the dispensing optician (DO) profession.

Launched in January, ABDO’s centenary activities are designed to recognise the vital role DOs play in delivering high-quality eyecare and supporting patients and communities across the UK.

Throughout the year, ABDO is shining a spotlight on the profession’s contribution to community practice, education and clinical care, while celebrating its rich heritage and inspiring future generations.

Representing ABDO on the visit were Brenda Rennie, ABDO president, Alistair Bridge, chief executive officer, and Gavin Berkerey, communications and engagement director.

The ABDO team were welcomed by:

• Upkar Sondh, regional manager for London
• Rachel Callender, dual site manager for Wigmore Street and Sedley Place
• Bianca Patel, store manager, Wigmore Street
• Irute Kleve, DO, Wigmore Street
• Sharan Kaur, DO, Wigmore Street
• Les Thomas, professional learning and development manager – dispensing and technical optics
• Sarah Gilbert, director of development and ABDO Board elected member

The site once held a Royal Warrant

Celebrating heritage and innovation

The visit provided an opportunity to see the Wigmore Street practice, which reopened in April 2026 following a seven-week redevelopment programme. The refurbished practice combines a contemporary, high-end retail environment with the building’s historical character. Optical equipment from the Boots Opticians archive is displayed throughout the practice, celebrating the company’s heritage while creating a distinctive setting for patients.

Visitors toured the practice’s facilities, which include two clinical rooms, a pre-testing area, dedicated dispensing spaces, a private consultation room and a discreet area for contact lens teaching. The design places a strong emphasis on privacy, comfort and providing tailored care for patients with different needs.

Located in one of London’s most prestigious retail destinations, the Wigmore Street practice has a unique history. Formerly a Dollond & Aitchison branch, the site once held a Royal Warrant and supplied eyewear to Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh. Boots Opticians has occupied the site since 2009 following the merger of the two businesses.

Showcasing the value of DOs

During the visit, Rachel Callender explained how dispensing teams are supported to develop their skills by working across different retail environments, including the nearby Oxford Street practice. Team members regularly move between locations, gaining experience with a diverse range of patients and customer needs, helping to strengthen both their technical knowledge and customer-facing skills.

The ABDO delegation also heard from DO Irute Kleve, who highlighted how much the company’s dispensing teams value ABDO’s continuing professional development offering. In particular, she noted the importance of in-person learning opportunities, which enable DOs and contact lens opticians (CLOs) to network, share experiences and learn from colleagues across the profession.

Regional manager, Upkar Sondh, spoke about the importance of listening to teams and understanding their aspirations for support, learning and career development. He welcomed ABDO’s centenary tour and its focus on engaging directly with dispensing professionals in practice settings.

Profession at the heart of patient care

ABDO president, Brenda Rennie, commented afterwards: “It was a pleasure to visit the Wigmore Street practice and see first-hand how beautifully its heritage has been blended with a modern, patient-centred environment. The practice is truly impressive, with thoughtfully designed spaces that support both clinical excellence and personalised care.

“What stood out most was hearing how highly the team values its dispensing opticians and the central role they play in delivering a tailored experience for every patient. It was fascinating to learn how colleagues develop their skills across different practice settings and how dispensing opticians are empowered to use their expertise to help patients make informed choices about their eyecare and eyewear.

“The passion, professionalism and commitment we saw perfectly reflect the contribution dispensing opticians make every day to patient outcomes and experiences,” Brenda added.

ABDO’s centenary celebrations will continue throughout the year with practice visits, events and activities designed to honour the profession’s history, celebrate its present and inspire the next generation of DOs and CLOs. Find out more.