Our Story
Since Julian Davies first welcomed patients in the Pillgwenlly area of Newport in 1992, our name has become synonymous with exceptional eyecare. As an independent provider, our focus has always been on delivering clinical excellence and outstanding customer service.
1992: How it all began
In 1992 fresh faced dual qualified Optometrist and Dispensing Optician Julian Davies decided to set up his first practice in the Pillgwennlly area of Newport. He soon gathered a large following through recommendations and a great reputation, and the practice grew quickly.
1998:Further expansion
Further expansion occurred with the acquisition of David Mort Opticians in the growing suburb of St Mellons in the East of Cardiff. Quickly, this practice became a real eye care hub for the local area and the busiest of our practices.
2015: Glaucoma ODTC Newport
In the autumn of 2015 our Newport practice won a bid to become one of very few practices in ABUHB to be chosen to examine large numbers of glaucoma patients and glaucoma suspects in community rather than in a hospital setting. At the time, this was ground breaking and heavily featured in local and industry media. In the following years, it was evidenced to lead to better patient outcomes and satisfaction while, at the same time, freeing up much needed capacity in the local eye clinic.
This glaucoma scheme was the real impetus for Chris and the clinical team to upskill and become real specialists in glaucoma care as well as medical retina, low vision and independent prescribing in the years since.
2018: Bigger and better in Usk
In January 2018, we moved from 3 Bridge Street to 39 Bridge Street in Usk. The move allowed us to double our footprint and provide a more accessible setting in a newly refurbished building with all new clinical equipment.
2020: COVID
Having recently taken over our new location in Llandaff, the world changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. We used the short downtime we had to continue renovations of Llandaff and all team members filled their time with distance learning training to ensure that when we came back to full operations, we would be improved.
During the first full lockdown, Chris manned the phones from all of our practices and provided remote triage and mobile assistance to our patients where needed.
In May 2020, we were among the first businesses to reopen in the UK, operating as community optometric hubs and seeing those most in need to keep them away from high risk hospital settings. We followed the most stringent hygiene procedures and wore all necessary PPE all day every day for what felt like an eternity.
During the pandemic, we also began running a community glaucoma clinic on behalf of Cardiff and Vale Health board, having been selected a few months earlier.
2022: FURTHER Expansion - Bateman Opticians
In December 2022 we rescued Bateman Opticians from collapse and saved all of the jobs across their four locations. Click here to read the coverage.
2020
1992
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2023
1995: When one became two
In the summer of 1995 Julian was approached by a colleague who was looking for someone to take over their established practice in the beautiful Monmouthshire market town of Usk. Feeling that now was the time to expand Julian took the plunge and soon became part of the tight knit community of Usk.
2009 Chris joins
In July 2009, Chris Tannorella qualified as an optometrist while undertaking his pre registration year and examinations at a large city centre practice in Bristol. Julian was told by a friend and mutual colleague that Chris was looking to move back to his hometown of Cardiff, a job offer over a beer was made and Chris joined Julian Davies Opticians.
2015: Julian Retires
In November 2015 Julian took the decision to step down and retire. Fully handing over the reins to Chris, who had become a partner a year earlier. A large party was had at Rodney parade where Julian was a vice president of the Newport Gwent Dragons with a huge number of friends, family, patients and staff both past and present coming to celebrate a wonderful career.
2019: Llandaff
On the 31st December 2019, our practice in Llandaff was acquired from well known group of Stewart Greenberg Opticians. This was an exciting addition for us as the practice had a great reputation locally, had been established decades earlier and had a wonderful team. We immediately began a practice facelift and installed all new clinical equipment to bring this practice in line with the rest of our group and provide the highest standard of modern eyecare to the people of Llandaff.
2022: Further Expansion - Whitchurch
Further growth ensued at the end of August 2022 with the takeover of Stewart Greenberg opticians in Whitchurch. We plan to upskill the whole team, implement our paperless systems and all new clinical equipment to give the people of Whitchurch access to the highest level of eyecare available.
2022: Julian Davies Opticians Blackwood
On 30th October 2023, we relocated Bateman Opticians in Blackwood to a newly refurbished location at 126 High Street, Blackwood and rebranded as a JDO.