Dipple & Conway Opticians, Diss
Are Your Patients Sitting Comfortably?
Or perhaps we should be asking, are your patients waiting comfortably?
The right waiting chair can set a patient up for a good experience at your practice or a bad one. I’m not just talking levels of bounce in cushions here – with popular trends moving towards more relaxed, living room style seating, is your waiting area accessible to all users?
Although most able users will enjoy relaxing into a comfortable sofa, many older people or those less physically able could be instantly alienated by their lack of stability. Many less physically able patients will need some form of arm rest to assist in getting to their feet, as well as a seat that isn’t too low or too high, padding that isn’t too soft etc. So while that vintage shabby chic sofa may look nice, is it offering all of your patients a comfortable experience?
What is the difference between Commercial Grade furniture and Domestic Grade furniture?
The simple answer – durability. Commercial grade furniture has been designed and tested to be more hardwearing and therefore, to last longer. It is about more than just looking good, commercial grade furniture has been designed for the job. It will have many people of all different shapes and sizes sitting on it day in day out and is designed to manage this.
Domestic furniture typically does not endure anywhere near the same levels of wear and tear as commercial furniture and therefore does not undergo the same rigorous testing. Commercial furniture is tested for Safety, Stability, Strength, Durability, Flammability, Durability and Performance of Fabrics, Durability and Performance of Foams amongst many others. Ensuring a lasting product and a safe experience for your patients.
Does it come at a cost? Yes. Kind of. Commercial grade furniture may set you back slightly more at the beginning, but it’s durability and length of warranty will often far outweigh the costs of continuously replacing domestic grade equivalents.
There are many different styles of commercial seating, from stackable conference style seating to more homely tub chairs and sofas. You are sure to find something that suits your style.
In summary, it may be worthwhile making a few small changes to your seating area to appeal to the maximum amount of patients. Consider arms for at least some of your chairs and where possible, be sure to have plenty of space around them for ease of access. If you do want to opt for a sofa, consider whether there is an alternative sturdy chair available for those that wish to use it. When it comes to purchasing commercial grade or domestic grade, we will always recommend commercial, in our opinion it is definitely worth the investment!
Mewscraft helps transform an old bank into a beautiful new home for opticians practice
Mewscraft recently completed the refurbishment of an old bank in the heart of Ilminster. Transforming the beautiful listed building into a wonderfully modern and calm home for Richard Stent Optometrists.
For more information and photographs, see the Case Study page here.
Mewscraft Fits Optical Practice in Listed Building in Norfolk
Mewscraft are proud to offer a sneak preview at one of our latest optical practice fit-outs. Located in the beautiful village of Bungay, Norfolk, this practice is based inside a Grade II listed building, Originally two cottages previously being used as a cafe, our client undertook the challenge of renovating them into one optical practice.
Having met our client at 100% Optical earlier in the year, Mewscraft were involved from the beginning, working on lighting and electrical plans, as well as displays, furniture and flooring.
A cosy feel was vital for this village location. The red wallpaper, dark woods and our clients excellent attention to detail have helped transform this building into a beautifully, warm and modern practice.
Keep an eye out on the website for a full case study with photographs coming soon!
Optrafair Review
The first weekend of April saw the Mewscraft team head to the Birmingham NEC for the annual Optrafair exhibition. Always a calendar highlight, Optrafair is a great opportunity to get together with other optical industry professionals, check out the new developments in technologies and – most importantly – catch up with our existing clients, whilst hopefully finding some new ones too!
As we have our own stand at the show, preparation for the event begins months in advance. This year our Senior Designer, Steph, took on the challenge of heading up the stand design. Keeping things simple, she chose branded Mewscraft graphics with just our Scope window system on display. However, one controversial design decision was left to a team vote. Can you tell what it might have been?
In a toss-up between a funky bright orange carpet and a more conservative champagne colour, the team were somewhat divided. Eventually Steph and our new designer, Jane, won out to bring plenty of colour to Optrafair!
As Mewscraft covers the whole of the UK and Ireland, it is not always easy to meet up with all our clients face-to-face so trade shows like Optrafair provide the perfect opportunity to catch up with multiple clients, all in one place.
Whether it’s a new client interested in finding out a bit more about what we can offer them, or an existing client sitting down to talk through our latest design proposals, talking face-to-face is always preferable. Over the three days it became more and more clear that many practice owners in the UK recognise the need to smarten up their premises and present their businesses in a professional way. Many are planning refurbishments, which range from complete re-fits, to perhaps just renewing their window displays.
While most of the Mewscraft team are seasoned Optrafair attendees, this was the first time at the event for our newest designers Jane and John. It was a brilliant opportunity for them to not only see what it is all about, but also meet a lot of our longstanding clients. Having chatted to them over the phone so much it’s always great to be able to put a face to a name!
The planning and preparation led to a very successful weekend for Mewscraft. Lots of fun was had by the whole team, many leads were generated and we’re hoping to see even more of you there next year!
Peel & Gudgin Opticians – Before and After
One of the most rewarding parts of any project is being able to see the difference you’ve made.
Peel & Gudgin Opticians contacted Mewscraft as they were in need of some new furniture to freshen up their practice in Bury St. Edmunds.
Before the team arrived the Opticians was looking tired. The existing reception desk was not particularly inviting to patients and the space was in need of more functional furniture designed with storage in mind. Outdated optical displays needed replacing to help give the premises a new lease of life.
Before:
After:
Once the design process was complete, the team worked on-site for a day installing bespoke cupboard units, acrylic panels and frame bars with integrated LED lighting to better showcase the range of optical products for sale.
A bespoke reception desk was created to make better use of the available space as well as making the meet-and-greet area more welcoming.
The result was an opticians with a more modern feel, whose light coloured fixtures and fittings made the practice feel more spacious.
Peel & Gudgin Opticians – Before and After
One of the most rewarding parts of any project is being able to see the difference you’ve made.
Peel & Gudgin Opticians contacted Mewscraft as they were in need of some new furniture to freshen up their practice in Bury St. Edmunds.
Before the team arrived the Opticians was looking tired. The existing reception desk was not particularly inviting to patients and the space was in need of more functional furniture designed with storage in mind. Outdated optical displays needed replacing to help give the premises a new lease of life.
Before:
After:
Once the design process was complete, the team worked on-site for a day installing bespoke cupboard units, acrylic panels and frame bars with integrated LED lighting to better showcase the range of optical products for sale.
A bespoke reception desk was created to make better use of the available space as well as making the meet-and-greet area more welcoming.
The result was an opticians with a more modern feel, whose light coloured fixtures and fittings made the practice feel more spacious.
L.Dollay Optometrist
L.Dollay Optometrist are independent opticians who established their practices in Erith and Thamesmead in Kent over 15 years ago.
They pride themselves on keeping to the forefront of optical technology using state of the art instruments for monitoring eye health and diagnosing potential problems; instruments which would usually only be found in the specialist eye departments of hospitals. However, they felt that the retail area in their Erith practise needed freshening up and better use of the commercial space available.
L.Dollay Optometrist have revived their Erith store with the help of Mewscraft.
With a very clear idea of what they wanted to achieve, Mewscraft worked from their sketches, putting together a formal plan, drawings and a design and displays package to help realise their client’s vision.
ConceptS displays help showcase a range of optical products.
The custom-built reception desk provides a suitable area to meet and greet patients.
The result was a clinical, functional space with a new reception desk, clever space-saving storage systems throughout the store, using Concept S furniture, and display stations to maximise product showcase space.
NEC Exhibition Stand for Isaac Lord drives sales
Isaac Lord Ltd. supplies everything the joiner/kitchen manufacturer needs except the timber itself. This includes Power Tools and Accessories, Screws, Abrasives, Oils and Waxes, Hinges and Runners and General Ironmongery. As well as a large retail shop with one of the largest and broadest selection of tools in the country, Isaac Lord supplies nationally with a website featuring over 20,000 products, reps on the road and office based telesales.
Attracting attention from attendees and other exhibitors
Isaac Lord were a key exhibitor at W16, the primary event for the Joinery & Furniture industry. Taking place every two years it gives people the opportunity to view the very latest in woodworking and joinery machinery, components and materials.
A wide variety of products on display
Mewscraft were delighted to design and build a stunning raised 72 m sq. stand for Isaac Lord. Working closely with the client, Mewscraft created a scheme that not only managed to stand out within a busy exhibition atmosphere, but also had components that could be reused for future exhibitions.
Their huge product range of tools and accessories required a variety of shelving, wall mounted displays and impactful lighting. And, as a main distributor for Blum and Hafele, the stand included a demonstration kitchen area to show off specific drawer runners and fittings. Also, break out sales area were incorporated, designed to give some privacy whilst carrying out business on the stand.
Branded in the company colours of red and white, the stand drew in hundreds of visitors, generating a large volume of sales and leads during the event.
An abundance of supplier displays
Andrew Cripwell, Director was extremely pleased with the stand, “W16 has been a great success, both for Isaac Lord Ltd and our partner suppliers which include Blum, Makita, Mirka and Festool. Mewscraft, who designed and built the stand were superb, and took nearly all the stress out of the show build up – which is no mean feat!
The branding and colour schemes were strong, and in addition to the sales generated during the show, we have acquired hundreds of new customers who should continue to buy from us for many years to come.”
Building the stand from start to finish
Mewscraft support Part with a Pound Day
Helping to raise money for local hospices in the Monmouthshire area, Mewscraft hosted an afternoon tea event at their brand new showrooms at Wyastone Business Park today.
Part with a Pound Day, in association with Sunshine Radio was attended by a variety of businesses who generously donated money and enjoyed an afternoon of coffee, cakes and conversation.
With more than 20 people attending the capability of Mewscraft’s new showroom as an efficient meeting space as well as an attractive show space was highlighted.
Mewscraft are dedicated to supporting local events and PWAP is one of several fund raising activities on the Mewscraft calendar in 2016.
To arrange a viewing call Mewscraft today on 01600 891 525.
