The Team

Cathy

BSc Hons, MCOptom, Dip Clin Optom- Practice Director/Optometrist

Cathryn, originally from Bolton, qualified from Manchester University in 1984 and worked in several independent practices in Lancashire and Northamptonshire before opening her own in 1988. Whilst working at CATS she also gained further experience from working as a sessional hospital optometrist at Halton Hospital. Keen to keep up to date and further develop her skills she continued her studies at City University in London, achieving distinction with a Post graduate Clinical Optometry diploma.

She has a particular interest in children’s eyecare, contact lenses, diabetes and Glaucoma, being accredited for the diabetic retinopathy screening service in Cheshire and the Glaucoma & Ocular hypertension monitoring service. She is also an accredited dry eye specialist and a CUES Community Urgent Eyecare practitioner, providing urgent assessment/treatment or referral for sudden onset eye problems, such as red or painful eyes, flashes and floaters, vision loss or minor injuries to help alleviate hospital and GP appointment wait times.

Anthony

Owner

Tony has worked in the optical profession since 1980 and managed a small group of practices before encouraging his wife to take the plunge and open their own practice together in 1988. As the practice has expanded he has moved directions from dispensing to a more managerial role.

He has always worked hard to provide a service second to none where nothing is too much trouble and this is what CATS Opticians is based on. Although retired now he is still playing an important role in the running of the practice and occasionally you might see him in the practice.

Ben

Dispensing Optician (FBDO Dip )

Ben, our Dispensing Optician has been in optics for over a decade. His optical journey started in a restaurant, where his customer service skills were noticed by a local optician. He was asked along for an interview and has never looked back. After working initially as an Optical Assistant, Ben went on to study and qualified as a Dispensing Optician.

Ben has all the patience in the world and will make sure you look and feel great in your new spectacles, providing excellent advise on frame styling and lens design.

Outside of work Ben has a passion for film, which he has a degree in. He loves football and travelling. Ben likes to think he is a decent cook but that’s somewhat up for debate. He also loves to tell a joke at work when you’re least expecting it!

 

Richard

Optical Assistant

Richard has worked for the practice since 2010. He has proved to be a valuable asset to the practice. He is a great team member, quiet and calm, totally reliable, always giving 100% and is our go to man when we need a tech guy. He is well liked by patients, many asking specifically to see him and always goes the extra mile to make sure patients are completely satisfied with the service they receive at CATS.

 

Helen

Optical Assistant

Meet Helen,

Helen, a local resident with years of experience within optics, is here to make your visit comfortable and informed. She excels in pre-examination care, ensuring you’re at ease and ready for your appointment. Helen is also, your go-to for selecting the perfect frames and lenses, combining style and functionality effortlessly. With her friendly approach and expertise, your eye care journey is not just smooth but also enjoyable.

 

Maggie

Maggie is from Poland and has been living in the UK for the past four years. She is a qualified optometrist in Poland and is currently looking into how she can become registered as an optometrist in the UK. It’s not a simple task. Since 2022 she has been working with us, as an optical assistant and getting to understand the way things work in the UK. Maggie has become a great team member. Her previous knowledge and experience are a great asset.

She has one daughter who takes up most of her time and enjoys dancing and cooking.

Mel

 

Mel is our latest member of the team and is new to optics. She has taken it all in her stride at break neck speed and is already making her mark on organising the practice.

Mel is originally from Sandbach but currently lives in Middlewich. She has an unusual pet, a Bearded dragon lizard, called Shelly. She loves socialising and enjoys the theatre, live music and travelling.