Quality and service really do matter
We are an independent group who have been caring for eyes for over 65 years. Established in 1957 by Frank Barraclough in Norman Road, St. Leonards and later joined by Peter Stiles, we gained a reputation founded on expertise combined with a kind and helpful manner.
Investing in the latest technology and equipment such as OCT imaging and Optomap® retinal scanning and keeping the practices modern and up to date has all helped in passing the 65 year milestone.
However, a significant contribution has been made by the people working in the company and a large proportion of our staff have been with us for many years enabling them to build excellent relationships with our clients.
Investing in the latest technology and equipment such as OCT imaging and Optomap® retinal scanning and keeping the practices modern and up to date has all helped in passing the 65 year milestone.
However, a significant contribution has been made by the people working in the company and a large proportion of our staff have been with us for many years enabling them to build excellent relationships with our clients.
Managing Director
Jeremy Heynes FBDO
Jeremy started his employment at Barracloughs in November 1984 after finishing A-Levels at Bexhill College. Having decided that he wanted to escape formal education, and start earning a living in a job with training and some future prospects, he applied for the position of trainee Dispensing Optician at our Battle practice. Today he is Managing Director of the business.
Dave Cleworth and Sarah Watters
Following Nigel Barraclough's retirement, long-term member's of the management team, Dave Cleworth and Sarah Watters became Director's alongside Jeremy, with both running operations for the business.
Marketing and purchasing is also handled by Dave and Sarah respectively.
Barracloughs over the years
Frank opens his first practice
Practice purchased from John Tierney and business started as F. E. Barraclough at 21 Norman Road.
1968
Bexhill practice opens
Practice and premises purchased in St. Leonards Road, Bexhill.
Peter Stiles joins Frank
Peter Stiles joined and formed the Partnership Barraclough and Stiles
1974
Eastbourne practice opens
Practice purchased from Sydney Carter in 16 Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, and became 'Carter, Barraclough and Stiles'.
Bexhill practice moves to Western Road
Practice purchased and moved to 41 Western Road, Bexhill.
1980
Battle practice opens
Practice and premises purchased at 63 High Street, Battle.
Tony Barraclough joins
Tony Barraclough joins the partnership
1983
St. Leonards practice moves
St. Leonards practice purchased in 13 London Road, St. Leonards.
Surainder Puri joins
Surainder Puri joins the partnership
1984
Jeremy Heynes joins
Jeremy Heynes starts working for the company
Nigel Barraclough joins
Nigel Barraclough joins the partnership
1986
Polegate practice opens
Our Polegate practice opens in the High Street.
Battle practice is refitted
Battle practice is modernised and refitted
3 December 1994
Frank Barraclough retires from Partnership
Frank Barracloughs retires from the Partnership but continues to work part-time
Jeremy Heynes joins Partnership
Jeremy Heynes joins the Partnership
31 August 1996
Eastbourne premises purchased
New premises purchased at 194 Terminus Road.
Seaford premises purchased
Seaford practice purchased at Dane Road
1997
Eastbourne Practice moves to Terminus Road
Eastbourne practice moves from Pevensey Road to the newley purchased Terminus Road
Battle practice refit
Battle practice is refitted again
16 June 2003
Barton's records purchased
Barton's records purchased in Eastbourne and Hampden Park
St. Leonards practice refitted
St. Leonards practice is refitted completely
2006
Became a limited company
Partnership changes to a limited company: Barraclough and Stiles Ltd.
Peter Stiles retires from Partnership
Peter Stiles retires from the Partnership but continues to work part-time
2009
Polegate practice is refitted
A complete practice refit is carried out at our Polegate premises
Scrivens records purchased
Scrivens records are purchased in Eastbourne
13 February 2011
Battle practice moves
Battle premises moves from 63 to 64a High Street
Peter Stiles retires
Peter Stiles retires from the company
11 May 2015
Uckfield practice opens
Practice is purchased from Private Eye Optometrists
Clive Hazelgrove records purchased
Records are purchased from Clive Hazelgrove in Uckfield, following his retirement.
8 July 2015
St. Leonards practice moves
St. Leonards practice moves from London Road to Sedlescombe Road North in Silverhill.
Rebranded
We rebrand from Barraclough & Stiles Opticians to Barracloughs the Opticians.
27 December 2015
Lewes practice purchased
Keith Chapple practice purchased at 52 Cliffe High Street, Lewes.
Tony Barraclough retires
Tony Barraclough retires from Directorship and business
31 July 2019
Uckfield refitted
Uckfield practice is refitted and rebranded as Barracloughs.
Eastbourne practice refitted
Eastbourne practice is refitted and rebranded as Barracloughs.
December 2019
Barry Edwards records purchased
Barry Edwards and Hamblins records purchased for Eastbourne and Polegate practices.
Lewes practice closes
Lewes practice closed.
2020
Surainder Puri retires
Surainder Puri retires from the Directorship but continues to work part-time.
Direct Optical records purchased
Records are purchased from Direct Optical in Langney.
31 December 2023
Nigel Barraclough retires
Nigel Barraclough retires from the business, but still works behind the scenes occasionally for consultancy work.
Frank Barraclough sadly passes away
At the age of 94, Frank Barraclough passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.
1 February 2024
Sarah Watters and Dave Cleworth join the Directorship
Following Nigel's retirement, long-standing members of the management team, Sarah Watters and Dave Cleworth become Directors of the business.
1957
Bexhill practice opens
Practice and premises purchased in St. Leonards Road, Bexhill.
1968
1971
Eastbourne practice opens
Practice purchased from Sydney Carter in 16 Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, and became 'Carter, Barraclough and Stiles'.
1974
1977
Battle practice opens
Practice and premises purchased at 63 High Street, Battle.
1980
1982
St. Leonards practice moves
St. Leonards practice purchased in 13 London Road, St. Leonards.
1983
1983
Jeremy Heynes joins
Jeremy Heynes starts working for the company
1984
1986
Polegate practice opens
Our Polegate practice opens in the High Street.
1986
1 August 1988
Frank Barraclough retires from Partnership
Frank Barracloughs retires from the Partnership but continues to work part-time
3 December 1994
1995
Eastbourne premises purchased
New premises purchased at 194 Terminus Road.
31 August 1996
1 April 1997
Eastbourne Practice moves to Terminus Road
Eastbourne practice moves from Pevensey Road to the newley purchased Terminus Road
1997
1 November 1999
Barton's records purchased
Barton's records purchased in Eastbourne and Hampden Park
16 June 2003
27 June 2005
Became a limited company
Partnership changes to a limited company: Barraclough and Stiles Ltd.
2006
2007
Polegate practice is refitted
A complete practice refit is carried out at our Polegate premises
2009
20 June 2010
Battle practice moves
Battle premises moves from 63 to 64a High Street
13 February 2011
27 March 2014
Uckfield practice opens
Practice is purchased from Private Eye Optometrists
11 May 2015
15 June 2015
St. Leonards practice moves
St. Leonards practice moves from London Road to Sedlescombe Road North in Silverhill.
8 July 2015
10 July 2015
Lewes practice purchased
Keith Chapple practice purchased at 52 Cliffe High Street, Lewes.
27 December 2015
1 January 2018
Uckfield refitted
Uckfield practice is refitted and rebranded as Barracloughs.
31 July 2019
28 October 2019
Barry Edwards records purchased
Barry Edwards and Hamblins records purchased for Eastbourne and Polegate practices.
December 2019
31 December 2019
Surainder Puri retires
Surainder Puri retires from the Directorship but continues to work part-time.
2020
16 June 2020
Nigel Barraclough retires
Nigel Barraclough retires from the business, but still works behind the scenes occasionally for consultancy work.
31 December 2023
31 January 2024
Sarah Watters and Dave Cleworth join the Directorship
Following Nigel's retirement, long-standing members of the management team, Sarah Watters and Dave Cleworth become Directors of the business.
1 February 2024
Why choose Barracloughs?
It's always been our primary goal to put you, the customer, first. Never shall we treat you as merely a number and rush you out the door - you'll receive the time you deserve at every visit to Barracloughs, and service to be remembered. Your vision matters and we're here to ensure your eye health remains the best it can be.
Over 67 yearsof eye care
With time comes experience and Barracloughs have been looking after eyes since 1957, so you're certainly in safe hands.
Award-winning
team
Employer of the Year, Customer Service of the Year, and Business of the Year are just a few recognition awards received.
Hospital-grade technology
We can see more than ever before, thanks to OCT technology. Even the smallest changes in your eye health can be spotted very early on.
You're our priority
You're all valued, and following your visit, we want you to leave feeling that way. As an independent family business, we want you to feel a part of the family.
Renowned for customer care
“Appointments with Barracloughs are always a good experience. The staff are friendly and professional.....I always feel at ease with them and trust their expertise.”
“All the staff have been great helping my teenage son transition from glasses to contact lens, very patient and helpful Thank you.”
“Excellent Helpful Great Customer Service”
“Was very impressed,the staff are very friendly .I felt also that my eyes were thoroughly checked,every thing explained very clearly.will be back to choose a frame for my prescription.”
Happy Customers
We actively seek reviews week in, week out, it helps us to see what we're doing right and what we could do to improve. We strive to make your visit a great experience and are proud to have received a response of 97.9% happy customers in 2023.
Some golden oldie photos
