STAFF from a Barnard Castle opticians that has served the town for 80 years have thanked generations of patients for their support after it shut up shop.
Cooper and Leatherbarrow Opticians, in Galgate, was established in Barnard Castle before the Second World War at its original site in Newgate.
It was one of the most recognisable shops in the town, with a large pair of spectacles adorning the front of the practice.
The practice, which was one of a number of Cooper and Leatherbarrow opticians, the first of which was established in Darlington over a century ago, closed on July 31.
Patient records from Cooper and Leatherbarrow Barnard Castle have been transferred to Bayfields Opticians & Audiologists, in Market Place, following a buy-out, previously reported in the Mercury.
The company took on its current name in the late 1920s when George Leatherbarrow took control of the business. The opticians is still a family business. George’s grandson, Ellis Leatherbarrow, is now the managing director, with practices in County Durham, North Yorkshire and Darlington.
Mr Leatherbarrow said: “Our thanks must go to our patients for their commitment, support and loyalty to our Barnard Castle practice over these years – it’s been a pleasure to serve you and your eyes. We’ve been here for decades so, as you can imagine, we’ve seen several generations of the same families walk through our doors, and our priority has always been to provide everyone with the best care possible.”
Cooper and Leatherbarrow practices continued to provide emergency eye care throughout the first three months of the Covid-19 pandemic as routine appointments were halted.
