Geoff Steven & Son – Opticians History
The optometry firm now known as Geoff Steven and Son was founded in 1946, when George Steven established the practice in Hexham, and operated on his own until his son Geoff qualified and joined him in Fore Street, Hexham in 1970.
Early expansion took place with the addition of Ponteland, Haltwhistle and a number of other sites across Northumberland and Durham. Geoff was one of the inaugural participants in Vision Aid Overseas in 1985, travelling voluntarily to Tanzania to assist in free third world testing and provision of spectacles.
A major move took place in 1993 with the acquisition of the expanded current head office premises in the high profile Market Square in Hexham. Geoff’s son Mark joined the practice in 2001.
A structural review of the business took place subsequently, resulting in the current group of branches in Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland, Newbiggin and Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne. Geoff’s younger son, Christopher, joined his father and brother in 2006.
Positioned as one of the biggest independent opticians in the North East of England, the firm prides itself on having top quality testing, a large range of designer frames, qualified dispensing opticians, its own laboratory and an ethos of professional service and value combined to deliver the best eye healthcare to its patients. Significant capital expenditure has taken place on state of the art testing equipment to explore, discover and treat all major eye complaints and deficiencies, regardless of age.
The firm has relationships with all the major lens and frame manufacturers across the country. The practice has a loyal, long serving set of staff, brief profiles of whom appear below.
