AN INDEPENDENT opticians is aiming to "break the mould" on industry doctrine by combing designer style with High Street prices.

Specky Wren was founded three years ago by David Carmichael and Marco Wren who built the business in a derelict site on a shoestring budget.

The pair worked at opticians together for 10 years and often discussed their shared dream of opening their own community optician.

After both becoming fathers and Marco qualifying as an optometrist, they combined their diverse skills with the aim of creating a different kind of optician.

With most independents driven out of business by big name opticians, Specky Wren seeks a middle ground between stylish boutiques land more affordable prices.

They found a derelict unit at the entrance of the then struggling Open Market in run-down London Road.

They negotiated a bargain rent and despite a relatively small starting investment of £20,000 they worked a “mini miracle” and transformed the former greengrocers thanks to a dedicated team of family and friend volunteers.

Marco said: “We aimed to reproduce the values of a bygone golden age of community opticians, provide a service unsurpassed in our city, but at a cost more closely aligned with the ‘multiple’ ethos of ‘high volumes lower margins’.

“In doing so we intended to make independent optical products and services available to all members of our diverse society.”

The vibrant space is decorated with art and funky furniture, with a kaleidoscope of colour drawn from the full visible spectrum.

With little spare cash, Specky Wren has won customers through word of mouth and canny social media activity generating positive online ‘chatter’ and sending its Google search ranking upwards.

After a sluggish start, when Brighton Open Market opened six months late in March 2014, the fledgling business soared.

Last year saw a turnover of more than half a million pounds with more than 90 per cent growth compared to 2014.

The success has enabled the business to invest £100,000 in state of the art equipment between two testing rooms.

Each patient is given at least 30 minutes with an optometrist, with regularly spaced appointments reserved for either emergencies or spontaneous eye tests.

Marco said: “We believe that spending more time with patients allows for more accurate diagnosis, preserving both sight and life in exceptional cases, generating trust and goodwill which ripples out into the wider community.”

As it enters its third year the team has grown to seven optical staff with a combined industry experience of more than 80 years.