Woman to say farewell after 46 years at Howards Opticians

Following a brief stint at Boots after leaving school, Carol Heaps secured a job at Howards Opticians on Duke Street in December 1977 and hasn't looked back since.

Although the industry has inevitably progressed and become more computerised and modern, Carol said that not much has changed in a shop that has always retained a small and trusted team.

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Carol (middle back) with an earlier Howards team (Image: Carol Heaps)
Carol, 66, from Rainford, said: "We only have a small team at the opticians and a lot of the staff have worked here for years.

"Two of them have worked here for almost 30 years and there have only been three owners since the practice opened in 1958, so it does feel like a little family."

Carol celebrating her 45th work anniversary in 2022 (Image: Carol Heaps)
Although there is often a battle against large competitors for independent businesses, Carol said that the Howards team has always given customers the extra time and patience they need to decide on their chosen eyewear.

With a wide range of glasses and sunglasses on offer at the Duke Street business, it is this extra care that has helped to grow its trusted reputation in town and encouraged generations of customers to return over the decades.

And while Carol admitted that there is an air of sadness in her retirement, there is a wealth of memories that she can cherish from her time at the Duke Street opticians, and she is sure that the business' "high standards" will continue without her.

Howards Opticians, on Duke Street (Image: St Helens Star)