An opticians, which offers customers access to innovative eyewear including 100% sustainable glasses made out of recycled ocean plastics, has launched in Barnsley thanks to a funding boost from UK Steel Enterprise.
Jacks Eyewear offers a relaxed and comfortable eyewear studio and mobile appointment service to provide clients with tailored eye-care services and high-quality spectacles.
Launched in April 2019, founder David Jackson used the £5k investment from UKSE – an organisation tasked with supporting growing businesses in communities affected by changes in the steel industry – to launch the company’s website.
The funds also went towards buying in stock from a wide selection of brands including Ray Ban, Oakley and Stepper; as well as British manufacturer Banton Frameworks, Bird Eyewear and Sea2see which uses recycled ocean plastic to create its products.
With over 20 years of experience working within independently run opticians as well as industry leading organisations, David is a fully qualified Dispensing Optician and specialises in youth and child spectacle fitting as well as low vision assessments and solutions.
The budding entrepreneur launched the business to create visual solutions for customers who take their eyewear seriously and are looking to explore new and innovative products and techniques to deliver the very best visual solutions.
David said: “The funding from UKSE has been instrumental in allowing me to take Jacks Eyewear to the next level.
“Jacks Eyewear is different to the typical opticians you may find on the high street because we work to provide tailored performance and quality eyewear, specialising in children’s spectacles as well as providing eyewear for sports enthusiasts who may require a more bespoke solution. We use industry leading brands to also help promote new, upcoming and innovative frame manufacturers.
“My clients benefit from a one-to-one service in a relaxed atmosphere where they can learn about the different brands, frames and lenses in order to choose a pair of spectacles that really work for them.
“Eye examinations are extremely important health checks but not everyone wants to buy their unique eyewear just when their examinations are due or in the same clinical environment.
“Jacks provides a more relaxed, comfortable environment in which to tailor your eyewear needs and requirements.”
Investment Manager at UKSE, Matthew Stewart added: “David’s offering of bespoke visual solutions and products on a mobile basis, as well as in the studio, is unlike any other offering in Barnsley and it was our absolute pleasure to provide funding to support the establishment of the business.
“Its excellent to see that the funding has contributed to the successes of David’s business to date and I have no doubt that it will continue to grow and thrive within the region.”
