Our Story
Take a stroll down memory lane with us as we share the story of our practice, introduce our founder, and reveal how we came to proudly serve the people of Sheffield.
Our Founder
Many will remember John Bird as the larger-than-life optician on Surrey Street, who was as renowned for his sunny demeanour as he was for his optical expertise.
John was born at Firth Park in 1942. His father was in the army, then a milkman and later a steel worker, while his mother was a cleaner at an opticians. John would meet her after school and seeing the Optician warming himself in front of his fire (it was a home practice), he quite fancied the idea of being a home-based, fireside optician. As soon as he left school, he signed up to become a dispensing optician.
While a regional manager for D&A Opticians he was sent out to scout around Sheffield for a new store location. Spotting the old Tailors on Surrey Street he knew it was a prime location; however, D&A wasn’t interested so, in May of 1983, John took a risk and set up Bird Opticians on his own.
Things Begin to Expand
Working solo, he would make the clinic diary appear busy by booking in Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, when potential clients walked through the door. But by 1997 he’d expanded, knocking through the wall to the old Tobacconists next door.
Stories and Smiles from Sheffield’s Optician
Since then, John’s glasses have graced the faces of thousands of Sheffielders, including Richard Hawley and Stuart Vitty – who’s been a customer for most of his life. Stuart said: “I remember going into Donald and Aitchison with my mum after Mr Bird had left. I was very young, and I remember us asking where the ‘nice, funny man was’ and we were told that he’d set up on his own on Surrey Street. We went to find him, walked in and in true John style, he looked at us and said: “Oh no – I was trying to get away from you!” Stuart said: “I remember Mr Bird trying to sell some upside-down glasses to me when I was 12 to improve my snooker because I was going to see Dennis Taylor.”
Prioritising Customers as People
But John’s service went above and beyond spectacles, as one of his dispensing opticians, Suzanne Lynch, remembers: “A lady came in one time and was talking about her washing machine door, which was beyond repair. John said: ‘I’ve got one of those in my garage’ and within days the lady was united with a second-hand working washer door. Stuff like that happened all the time.”
The End of An Era
Sadly, John passed in July 2020, leaving his daughter to carry the torch for independents. It’s rare to meet a true character and John Bird was certainly one of life’s gifts: professional, kind and possibly the only man to bypass a bank’s security measures with nothing more than a milkshake (just ask his staff). Indeed, John’s spirit was incandescent in any situation: at home, at Round Table meetings and, most of all, on Surrey Street.
John Birds Legacy Continues
John’s passion for serving the people of Sheffield and his dedication to exceptional customer service clearly inspired his daughter, Eleanor. He was committed to creating a welcoming and enjoyable workplace, especially at the opticians. Inspired by her father’s enthusiasm and with the support of a fantastic team, Eleanor continues to uphold his legacy in a way that would undoubtedly make him proud.
Overdue An Appointment?
Whether you need a regular eye check-up, new glasses or your frame could do with a repair, we would love to see you.