John Harwood Optometrists Celebrate Centenary with Lynx IDG
John Harwood Optometrists Celebrate Centenary with Lynx IDG
One hundred years ago John Harwood opened his first practice in Guildford. After a series of relocations and the opening of a further two practices in Camberley and Fleet in 1929 and 1938 respectively, John trained up and later joined forces with partners Cyril Loughlin and John Westbrook
In 1946 John’s son Kenneth took over the practice and forged the John Harwood Partnership bringing in Richard Broughton , still a serving partner to this day. John Harwood, the founder’s youngest son and a retired canon with the Church of England is still involved with the group.
Fast forward to the present day and having added a fourth practice to the group in Woking (1978) the current partners – Claire Wren, Richard Broughton, Michelle McIndoe, Andrew Rourke, Philip Saunders and Charlotte Cook, decided that 2011 was the ideal time to take the group forward into a new era.
This bold step involved re-locating the Woking site from its previous position within the Wolsey Place Shopping Centre to new, much larger premises on the busy Commercial Way Arcade – just 2 minutes from the original site.
After working closely with another established optical shopfitting company on the previous 4 refits, Claire and Michelle decided that a fresh approach was needed to drive the company and its identity forward.
After contacting all of the major optical interior specialists, Claire and Michelle decided that Lynx IDG had interpreted their vision for the future most effectively and brought an entirely different approach to the table.
Once Lynx IDG had been retained as their preferred consultancy and service provider, they went about creating detailed design concepts, 3D models and design & build specifications for the partner’s approval.
After several development meetings (including the partners visiting Lynx IDG’s showrooms and design studios in Manchester) the final submission was signed off and the process of undertaking the project from initial site survey to handover began...
The new site covered 240 square meters over two floors and was effectively a bare shell unit requiring a ‘ground up’ refurbishment inclusive of all service provisions, internal construction, air-conditioning, flooring, electrics, ceiling/lighting and all associated contract works.
Lynx IDG submitted its tenders for approval to include for building regulation approvals, landlord’s consent and centre management requisite acceptance.
Once all the formal paperwork and approvals were in place and the details on the conceptual designs (to include 2 No. sight test rooms, lab and workshop, pre-test room, staff room and 3 No. W.C’s , 1 of which had to be DDA compliant) were concluded, along with signing off the bespoke shopfittings, displays, reception and dispensing furniture, building works started in earnest.
The whole project starting with a breeze block walled shell, crumbling concrete floor and the most basic mains services, to a completed state of the art, world class optical outlet ready to open its doors to the public, took just 6 weeks to complete.
A complete re-brand of the companies corporate ID was also undertaken to compliment the new look and approach of John Harwood Optometrists, which picks up on the scheme employed within the new outlet.
After careful consideration and once the look and feel of the bespoke fittings and furniture were extensively explored, Michelle, Claire and the rest of the team decided on a very contemporary appearance. Architectural, solid framed display units in Autumn Plum veneer were selected and complimented with dwarf base units and frame drawer packs with contrasting high gloss white door and drawer fronts. Pale Blue frosted acrylic panels with string low voltage accent lighting beautifully set off the aluminium and stainless steel frame displays which were punctuated with illuminated glass display cubes and designed to highlight the top end pieces.
Freestanding dispensing stations (fully computerised) were used in the main body of the retail area with a private dispensary situated further back, used exclusively for detailed consultations.
Since opening its doors at the beginning of January 2011, the staff and partners have embraced the new concept and the added value the overhaul has engendered has proved hugely successful.
Not only has the new practice become a destination zone and a more desirable practice to visit and work in, it has proven to be more conducive to offer higher value frames and lenses, which ultimately benefits the patients, as well as being healthy for the bottom line.
Lynx IDG are proud to have been involved in the evolution of the John Harwood brand and group of practices and are confident that the partners and staff will reap the rewards they deserve for investing in their future.
Lynx IDG’s research shows that the average ‘payback’ on its optical interior refits is 18 months – these projects are therefore self funding over a very short space of time and a must for any forward thinking practice wishing to thrive, not just survive.
All Lynx IDG’s refits are 100% bespoke and tailored to suit individual requirements and budgets. Improving retail environments improves sales and performance and significantly contributes to staff and patients wellbeing.
Further details on the full range of Lynx IDG practices and services available at www.lynxidg.com
One hundred years ago John Harwood opened his first practice in Guildford. After a series of relocations and the opening of a further two practices in Camberley and Fleet in 1929 and 1938 respectively, John trained up and later joined forces with partners Cyril Loughlin and John Westbrook
In 1946 John’s son Kenneth took over the practice and forged the John Harwood Partnership bringing in Richard Broughton , still a serving partner to this day. John Harwood, the founder’s youngest son and a retired canon with the Church of England is still involved with the group.
Fast forward to the present day and having added a fourth practice to the group in Woking (1978) the current partners – Claire Wren, Richard Broughton, Michelle McIndoe, Andrew Rourke, Philip Saunders and Charlotte Cook, decided that 2011 was the ideal time to take the group forward into a new era.
This bold step involved re-locating the Woking site from its previous position within the Wolsey Place Shopping Centre to new, much larger premises on the busy Commercial Way Arcade – just 2 minutes from the original site.
After working closely with another established optical shopfitting company on the previous 4 refits, Claire and Michelle decided that a fresh approach was needed to drive the company and its identity forward.
After contacting all of the major optical interior specialists, Claire and Michelle decided that Lynx IDG had interpreted their vision for the future most effectively and brought an entirely different approach to the table.
Once Lynx IDG had been retained as their preferred consultancy and service provider, they went about creating detailed design concepts, 3D models and design & build specifications for the partner’s approval.
After several development meetings (including the partners visiting Lynx IDG’s showrooms and design studios in Manchester) the final submission was signed off and the process of undertaking the project from initial site survey to handover began...
The new site covered 240 square meters over two floors and was effectively a bare shell unit requiring a ‘ground up’ refurbishment inclusive of all service provisions, internal construction, air-conditioning, flooring, electrics, ceiling/lighting and all associated contract works.
Lynx IDG submitted its tenders for approval to include for building regulation approvals, landlord’s consent and centre management requisite acceptance.
Once all the formal paperwork and approvals were in place and the details on the conceptual designs (to include 2 No. sight test rooms, lab and workshop, pre-test room, staff room and 3 No. W.C’s , 1 of which had to be DDA compliant) were concluded, along with signing off the bespoke shopfittings, displays, reception and dispensing furniture, building works started in earnest.
The whole project starting with a breeze block walled shell, crumbling concrete floor and the most basic mains services, to a completed state of the art, world class optical outlet ready to open its doors to the public, took just 6 weeks to complete.
A complete re-brand of the companies corporate ID was also undertaken to compliment the new look and approach of John Harwood Optometrists, which picks up on the scheme employed within the new outlet.
After careful consideration and once the look and feel of the bespoke fittings and furniture were extensively explored, Michelle, Claire and the rest of the team decided on a very contemporary appearance. Architectural, solid framed display units in Autumn Plum veneer were selected and complimented with dwarf base units and frame drawer packs with contrasting high gloss white door and drawer fronts. Pale Blue frosted acrylic panels with string low voltage accent lighting beautifully set off the aluminium and stainless steel frame displays which were punctuated with illuminated glass display cubes and designed to highlight the top end pieces.
Freestanding dispensing stations (fully computerised) were used in the main body of the retail area with a private dispensary situated further back, used exclusively for detailed consultations.
Since opening its doors at the beginning of January 2011, the staff and partners have embraced the new concept and the added value the overhaul has engendered has proved hugely successful.
Not only has the new practice become a destination zone and a more desirable practice to visit and work in, it has proven to be more conducive to offer higher value frames and lenses, which ultimately benefits the patients, as well as being healthy for the bottom line.
Lynx IDG are proud to have been involved in the evolution of the John Harwood brand and group of practices and are confident that the partners and staff will reap the rewards they deserve for investing in their future.
Lynx IDG’s research shows that the average ‘payback’ on its optical interior refits is 18 months – these projects are therefore self funding over a very short space of time and a must for any forward thinking practice wishing to thrive, not just survive.
All Lynx IDG’s refits are 100% bespoke and tailored to suit individual requirements and budgets. Improving retail environments improves sales and performance and significantly contributes to staff and patients wellbeing.
Further details on the full range of Lynx IDG practices and services available at www.lynxidg.com
