Ophthalmic optician Stephen Holt celebrates 50 years of business

Stephen Holt

An independent optician is celebrating 50 years of business this week.

Stephen Holt opened his business – Stephen J Holt Ophthalmic Opticians – on Oldham Road on 8 November 1971, where he continues to practice to this day.

A former Rochdale Grammar School student, Mr Holt began his lengthy career by studying for a BSc Hons degree in Ophthalmic Optics at Bradford University.

He then spent his pre-registration year on placement at the Eye Department at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, before qualifying as an ophthalmic optician in 1971.

Additionally, Mr Holt has also closed his practice on Tuesday afternoons for more than 35 years so he can provide NHS care at Nye Bevan House’s paediatric eye clinic.

Mr Holt said the aim was to always set up his own business and modestly says, even after all this time, it “still feels the same.”

One of his favourite parts of the job, he said, is working with individuals and meeting new people.

Summing up the past 50 years, he described it as “enjoyable” and concluded: “I’ll be here for a while yet!”