Quality and service really do matter

We are an independent group who have been caring for eyes for over 68 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.

Family-run, independent business
Designer and independent eyewear
Affordable contact lens plans
Eye health supplements
Caring for eyes since 1957
An award-winning team

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

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 years
of 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.

You're not just a number at Barracloughs

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.