Opticians reaches business awards finals

Ella (left) with director and dispensing optician, Amy Bainbridge

An independent opticians, with just two practices across the West Midlands, challenged multi-million-pound businesses, global corporations and household names at the UK’s largest business awards earlier this month.

Entrepreneurs from a wide range of different industries gathered at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, to compete across 20 coveted categories at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025.

Bainbridge Bespoke Opticians was shortlisted for the Customer Loyalty Award, after submitting a successful online application and presenting Dragon’s Den style to a panel of expert judges at Ten Trinity Square Private Club, London, in September.

The judges stated how they “were impressed by how the private opticians attracted and retained clients, the level of their customer service, and their presence in the community”.

The winner of the award on the night was PE backed Travel Counsellors, which has 2,000 independent consultants and 300 support colleagues in six different countries, generating £1.2bn in sales.

Group manager and dispensing optician, Ella McCormack, said: “As far as I’m aware, this is the first time the optical industry has been represented at this awards programme. We hope we’ve opened eyes to what optometry has to offer and shone a light on how incredible small businesses can be.”