A local name synonymous with outstanding eyecare and personal service is celebrating a golden milestone this year. Nixon & Shaw Opticians, with its long-established practice in Melksham, is marking 50 years since opening its doors in 1975.
The business was founded in 1975 by Tony and Stephanie Nixon and David and Liz Shaw, bringing together three practices in Melksham, Devizes and Bradford on Avon. Their vision was to provide exceptional, one-to-one eyecare tailored to every individual.
Current owners Martin and Rachel Bull have carried that ethos forward since joining the practice over two decades ago.
Martin, who trained at City University before completing his pre-registration year at the world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, first became a partner in 2001. He continued to build on his expertise through roles at Moorfields, the Institute of Optometry, and independent practices in London and Cambridge.
Martin and Rachel’s experience also spans the globe – they spent a year in Belize with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), where Martin worked as an optometrist with a local sight care charity and Rachel as an occupational therapist in mental health services.
“When Tony Nixon retired in 2007, I became the majority partner,” explains Martin. “When David Shaw retired in 2011, Rachel joined as a partner, and together we’ve worked hard to uphold the same commitment to excellence that Nixon & Shaw was founded on.
“We were one of the first high street Opticians in the county to have an OCT scanner in the practice, introducing it in 2011. It is a vital tool in the early detection of sight-threatening eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
“We also offer myopia control contact lenses and glasses which significantly slow down the progression short-sightedness in children.”
Being an independent optician gives Nixon & Shaw a unique advantage. “We’re not tied to one supplier, so we can choose the best frames and lenses to suit each individual,” said Rachel. “We carefully choose manufacturers that make quality glasses frames and lenses which provide effective solutions to our patients’ visual needs.
“Eyewear should make you look and feel good and our team takes time to help every patient choose frames that work for their prescription, face shape and personal style.
“Whether you’re NHS or private, new or returning, we’re here to provide the highest level of personalised eyecare. That was our promise in 1975, and it still is today.”
Nixon & Shaw is based at 6 High Street, Melksham. For more details, call 01225 703218 or visit their website – https://www.nixonshaw.co.uk
