Billson | Opticians | Suffolk, Essex, Cambs

ABOUT US

THE BILLSON STORY

3 generations of optical care began in Scotland with Albert James and Mary Billson, both qualified Optometrists, and their sons Stewart and Cyril. After qualifying himself, Cyril moved to England, opening his first practices in Harlow and Halstead.

Following in the family tradition, Cyril’s children Ian and Lesley both qualified in optics, and forty years after Cyril opened his first practice, Ian and his wife June took over the business, expanding to 6 branches across three counties.

In honour of their son Stewart, Ian and June have been consistently dedicated to raising money to help combat Cystic Fibrosis and support the quality of life for young people living with CF and their families. Billson Opticians funds the Stewart Billson Science Prize at a local secondary school.

MEET THE TEAM

Ian Billson

One of the fastest Contact Lens Fitters in the U.K. ( I used to do track days on a very fast bike - 1000cc Yamaha ).

I try to take my birthday present into work with me a few days a week. Most say she is Gorgeous, but we call her Poppy.

We use her as our meet and greet ( she won't try to sell you anything, just happy with a tummy tickle ).

Christine
Contact Lens Coordinator

Christine has worked for Billson Opticians for 4 years

Christine says "No day is the same. You meet a lot of interesting people."

Christine is an equestrian enthusiast and has lived her life around horses.

Colin
Optometrist

I qualified as an optometrist in 1984, after 4 years of university study. I have practised optometry throughout the world, with 5 of my own practices in the UK and Spain, I started regular locum work for Billson Opticians in 2016. I was highly impressed with the family values, and individual care given to our customers, and became a permanent optometrist.

I enjoy keeping active, and in 2016 won a gold medal in the 3000 meter event, at the Australian Masters Games (age related), held in Alice Springs.

OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM

June

I feel very privileged to enjoy my work as much as I do and only wish I enjoyed exercise as much.

Four years ago, I had a new hip and it feels wonderful to have mobility back. I would like to be able to run around the tennis court like I did 15 years ago, but then again wouldn’t we all?

I am immensely proud of my children and am very privileged to have family around me all of whom I adore.

Abigail

I’m a relatively new addition to the Billson Opticians family and proud to work for a family business with a great culture and history.

I have always got a few different projects on the go, so no two days are the same. I once sang Brahms Requiem in a choir at Kings College Chapel so if you hear singing, it’s likely me, though usually something a bit more cheerful.

Can you keep a secret? I’m a closet knitter and am currently working on a pile of bonding squares for a premature baby unit.

Claire

I have worked in Optics for about 15 years & have been with Billson Opticians for just over 10, I think I'm now the longest standing employee!

I enjoy working for here as it's a family run business, where everyone works as part of a team, despite not all being in the same location.

I travel around the practices when needed, but now spend most of my time as part of the 'head office' team.

It is a varied role and challenging, and you never know what each day will bring, but I wouldn’t want it any other way!

In my spare time I am a football fan (watching not playing!) and enjoy spending time with family & friends.

Poppy
Head of Customer Services

Driven to be the first to greet a visitor and ensure a warm welcome, Poppy has discovered her calling in Customer Service.

Always wanting to be a part of the action, you will find Poppy front and centre, socialising with staff and patients alike. Not one to have favourites, Poppy makes sure she greets everyone and tests out their tickling fingers with a scratch behind the ear, or if she requires further proof of dexterity, a tummy tickle.

On her days off, she likes to take her pet human Ian, for long walks, chase a few squirrels and maybe a quick game of fetch.

TESTIMONIALS

I trust Billson Opticians above all other opticians. They care about patient in many ways, not just a sight test. My daughter saw a different opticians who missed a problem, but Billson’s noticed it and she was referred and seen the same day for what could have been a serious problem if left.

Ms K Lock of Halstead

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All the Billson staff are kind, friendly and helpful. Mr Billson couldn’t have taken more time over my change from hard to soft contact lenses. Thank you all.

J Rocker - Long Melford

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I have been with Billson’s ever since they came to Long Melford and have found them friendly and efficient offering thorough eye examinations and a good choice of spectacle frames and lenses. Altogether a very satisfactory service. They also repair broken glasses very quickly.

C Brown - Long Melford

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I have been a customer of Billson’s for at least 20 years. I have always been satisfied with the customer service, they always have time for me. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

N Plumb - Halstead

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I have been to Billson’s for many years, purchasing my reading glasses and sun glasses from them. When my right eye deteriorated they arranged for me to visit the hospital, then ensured I had the right glasses for my needs. When the hospital told me they could no longer help they have gone out of their way to help me continue my hobby of tapestry. I would like to recommend them to anyone needing help with eye problems.

David Ford - Haverhill

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I have been a customer of Billson Opticians for many years and have found them to be extremely kind, helpful and patient in all that time. I would thoroughly recommend them to everyone with eye problems knowing they could not place themselves in safer hands.

Vera Ford - Haverhill

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We would like to say our experience with Billson’s Sawston is excellent! All my family of four go there regularly and they are nothing but kind and helpful! They are very patient with my children one of which has extra needs.

E Tomlinson - Sawston

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My daughter’s eyes are really bad and she has been wearing glasses since she was 3 and she’s now 10 and they have supported her to wear contact lenses. She has the only pair of her prescription in the world! They go out of their way to give you a first class experience. We would highly recommend using them.

Long serving customers - The Barnes family

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Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

Our Privacy Policy

Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

Our Privacy Policy

Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

ABOUT US

THE BILLSON STORY

MEET THE TEAM

Ian Billson

ChristineContact Lens Coordinator

ColinOptometrist

OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM

June

Abigail

Claire

PoppyHead of Customer Services

TESTIMONIALS

I trust Billson Opticians above all other opticians. They care about patient in many ways, not just a sight test. My daughter saw a different opticians who missed a problem, but Billson’s noticed it and she was referred and seen the same day for what could have been a serious problem if left.

All the Billson staff are kind, friendly and helpful. Mr Billson couldn’t have taken more time over my change from hard to soft contact lenses. Thank you all.

I have been with Billson’s ever since they came to Long Melford and have found them friendly and efficient offering thorough eye examinations and a good choice of spectacle frames and lenses. Altogether a very satisfactory service. They also repair broken glasses very quickly.

I have been a customer of Billson’s for at least 20 years. I have always been satisfied with the customer service, they always have time for me. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

I have been a customer of Billson Opticians for many years and have found them to be extremely kind, helpful and patient in all that time. I would thoroughly recommend them to everyone with eye problems knowing they could not place themselves in safer hands.

We would like to say our experience with Billson’s Sawston is excellent! All my family of four go there regularly and they are nothing but kind and helpful! They are very patient with my children one of which has extra needs.

Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

Haverhill Sawston Halstead Linton Clare

Christine
Contact Lens Coordinator

Colin
Optometrist

Poppy
Head of Customer Services