A Lancashire opticians is celebrating after achieving national success at a glittering business awards ceremony.
Woodhouse Opticians won the Sustainable Practice Award at the 2022 Optician Awards in recognition of its strong commitment to the environment.
It’s another landmark for the team at the practice, based in Highfield Road, South Shore, Blackpool, which recently marked 60 years in business.
Directors Stephen and Sukie Woodhouse and experienced staff members Abigail Ward and Paul Eastwood received the trophy at the awards staged at London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel and hosted by TV’s Vernon Kay.
Judges praised the ‘great innovations’ made by the team in striving to reduce their carbon footprint.
They said: “The winner provided great detail on the importance of sustainability and its relevance to the future of the practice. It also outlined practical steps it had taken to avoid waste and save energy.”
The award recognises the strides the business has made in recent years to become more environmentally aware. This ranges from working with eco conscious suppliers, to extensive recycling and developing its own environmental policy.
All staff also studied for and achieved a ‘Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Sustainability’.
Sukie Woodhouse said: “Sustainability and doing what we can to protect the environment is fundamental to our business. We’ve developed so much in recent years and all the team have embraced that.
“We’re delighted this award recognises that and how we are offering our patients and customers a quality service and many innovative and sustainably sourced products.”
Woodhouse Opticians has also been shortlisted for Sustainable Practice of the Year at the 2022 SightCare Awards, run by the UK’s largest association of independent opticians and optometrists.
The practice, which was completely remodelled after the first Covid lockdown, was recognised as a ‘lockdown hero’ for its services during the pandemic. It was one of 20 UK optical practices chosen for the accolade for dedication to its local community’s eye care.
