Our Story
Woodhouse Opticians has always been a welcoming, family-run, independent practice right from its conception in 1962.
Leslie and Rosanna Woodhouse set up L. Woodhouse LTD with only 10 trial frames borrowed from a local lens manufacturer, a coffee table, and a shoebox to use as a till. It’s hard to believe the Woodhouse Opticians we have now was built up right from the ground by a husband and wife with a dream. Leslie and Rosanna ran Woodhouse Opticians for many years, building up an eclectic mix of patients, including some of the glitterati of Blackpool such as Diana Dors, whose eyes Leslie tested (ask Stephen or Sukie about the full story of this encounter!).
During the 1980s, having done his Pre Reg dispensing year in Harrow-on-the-Hill, Leslie and Rosanna’s son, Stephen, came to join the practice. Stephen began at Woodhouse Opticians as a Dispensing Opticians, later qualifying in 19– as an Ophthalmic Optician with a specialism in LVA (low vision acuity) from Ashton University.
Leslie continued working at Woodhouse Opticians as an Ophthalmic Optician until his late 80s. After Leslie’s retirement in —-, Stephen took over Woodhouse Opticians, and is still the head of the Woodhouse team today! Stephen’s wife Sukie also joined the practice as a director in 2001 and later began working for Woodhouse Opticians full time as a practice manager in 2019.
Living up to the legacy of Woodhouse Opticians as a family-run practice, both of Sukie and Stephen’s daughters are members of the Woodhouse team. Their eldest daughter, Mia, has been a member of the practice since 2022, and has recently taken control of the social media and marketing for the practice. Sukie and Steve’s younger daughter, Misty, an accomplished artist and photographer, takes a more creative role, helping to photograph and redecorate the practice when needed. We have recently welcomed our newest team member, Lynsey…
Recently we have added an audiology room to our practice and thanks to the addition of our newest team member Lynsey we are proud to announce our new audiology services, check out the audiology section to find out more.
Since Leslie established Woodhouse Opticians in 1962 it has only gone through three makeovers – the most recent one taking place during lockdown!
We hope to continue the incredible family legacy of Woodhouse Opticians, something that is so close to our hearts.