A POPULAR optometrist serving Bournemouth and Poole is retiring after 40 years.

Craig Wilcox, the original founder and optometrist at Classic Eyes Opticians, is hanging up his retinoscope at the end of this month.

Established more than 40 years ago, Classic Eyes began in South Africa with Craig and his wife Thania.

After moving to the UK, the pair opened a store in Bournemouth before expanding to a second branch in Poole.

Bournemouth Echo:

Craig said: “Classic Eyes has granted me the privilege of caring for the vision and well-being of our community and I’m incredibly grateful for the loyalty and support we have received from our patients over the years.”

As an IP qualified optometrist, Craig was able to lighten the burden on the NHS and provide prescriptions for patients within practice.

Craig also sought to expand his eyecare services, including a dry eye clinic and vision therapy unit.

Craig added: “It has always been and still is incredibly important to me that the optical industry continues to improve and adapt to modern technology and solutions.

“We’re constantly learning and I’ve personally mentored within the industry to share our collective knowledge, particularly in regards to the management of dry eye conditions.”

Taking the lead at the practice will be director and dispensing optician, Lucy Freeman, who has been part of the classic eyes team for more than 20 years.

Lucy said: “I feel very proud and honoured that we can continue Craig’s legacy of providing an extremely high level of care, something that he has been well known for over the past 40 years.

“Through his guidance, we’ve built up a fantastic team that will uphold the reputation Craig has created for many generations to come.

“On behalf of my colleagues and our patients, we would like to wish Craig the best of luck in his well-deserved retirement.”