Four gardners, three practices and 35 years

Four gardners, three practices and 35 years

The family behind Specsavers in Wigan, Skelmersdale and Ashton-in-Makerfield

A RETAIL director who opened his first Specsavers practices in Wigan 35 years ago is celebrating the milestone alongside his family, who now help run three practices across the north west.

Graeme Gardner, aged 68, opened his first Specsavers practice in 1990 when he was a dispensing assistant. Today the family business has grown to serve communities across Skelmersdale and Ashton-in-Makerfield as well as Wigan.

What started as Graeme’s solo venture has become a true family affair, with all four Gardner family members now serving as equal partners and directors of the three-practice operation. They include Graeme’s wife Sue Gardner, aged 64, retail director, son Tim Gardner, 34, optometrist director, and daughter Laura Gardner, 38, who also holds the position of retail director.

The family connection extends beyond the directors. Practice manager Abi Broxson, based in Wigan, works alongside her partner Harri Chapman, an audiologist across all locations. Both joined Specsavers as optical assistants and recently welcomed their first child. Administrator Jade Darbyshire, also in Wigan, works with her partner Josh Hawkes, a lab technician.

Practice manager Sohail Nadeem in Skelmersdale works alongside his cousin Urooj Nasir, an optometrist, while optical assistant Kany Hameed works with her brother Gara Hameed, both in Wigan. Lab assistants Wayne Oare and Wellington Oare, also brothers, work together in the Wigan practice.

Laura Gardner says: ‘Reaching 35 years is an incredible milestone for my dad and for all of us as a family. To be able to work alongside him and my family, serving the communities where we grew up, is something I’m incredibly proud of. We’re not just opticians, we’re part of the fabric of Wigan, Skelmersdale and Ashton and we’re committed to being here for the next 35 years and beyond.’

Graeme added: ‘Seeing my children working alongside me in the business is incredibly fulfilling. What started as one practice has become a family legacy. They’ve brought fresh energy and new ideas while maintaining the values that have always been important to us, putting customers first and being part of the community we serve.’

Over the past 35 years, the practices have become trusted fixtures in their communities. The team regularly delivers presentations at primary schools, offers work experience placements, work trials and interview skills workshops to support young people entering the industry.

Collectively, the practices employ 98 staff across the three locations, with remarkable longevity among the team. Twenty team members have served for more than a decade across roles such as directors, managers, optical assistants, lens opticians and lab technicians.

Looking ahead, the family remains committed to providing the highest standards of eye and ear care across all three practices while continuing to support and invest in their communities.