Page 47 - Real Rochdale Issue 12 Winter 2021

Independent optician Stephen Holt

celebrates 50 years of business

Stephen Holt is a Rochdale

optician who has been
looking after local residents’

eye health for 50 years – and
Stay local, go far! he’s showing no signs of

stopping anytime soon.

Life changing Higher Education without When young electrician Peter France wired

the hassle and expense of moving away
up his test chart on 8 November 1971, he
became Stephen Holt’s very first patient, the
Check out our full range of courses today: hopwood.ac.uk
first of thousands over what would become a

A former Rochdale Grammar School student,
Hopwood Hall College and University Centre half-century of business.
Stephen began his lengthy career as one of
Rochdale’s most trusted opticians by examines children from birth upwards to
studying for a BSc Hons degree in ensure they have the best advice as their eye
Ophthalmic Optics at Bradford University. health changes.

Stephen spent his pre-registration year on When he’s not at work, Stephen enjoys
placement at the Eye Department at playing music, especially the clarinet,
Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, before saxophone, and organ. He’s also a long-time
qualifying as an ophthalmic optician in 1971. supporter and sponsor of the local rugby
league side, Rochdale Hornets, and even
Stephen opened his independent opticians opened a popular town centre pub – The
– Stephen J Holt Ophthalmic Opticians – on Baum – back in 1980.
Oldham Road in 1971, where he continues
to practice to this day. The shop on Oldham With no plans to retire soon, Stephen
Road has expanded in size over the years, but continues to take on new patients, offering
very little else has changed. the same care and attention he always has.

With patients of all ages, Stephen cares Stephen said the aim was to always set up his
about everyone’s eye health. For those who own business and modestly says, even after
are unable to physically attend an all this time, it “still feels the same.”
appointment, Stephen attends private and
care homes to ensure all his patients’ needs One of his favourite parts of the job, he said,
are met. is working with individuals and meeting new
people.
For more than 35 years, Stephen has closed
his practice on Tuesday afternoons as he also Summing up the past 50 years, he described
works for the NHS at the paediatric eye clinic it as “enjoyable” and concluded: “I’ll be here
at Nye Bevan House. Here, Stephen for a while yet!”

REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2021 46 47 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2021