History of Linklaters Optometrists

Ralph, the son of Dartford jeweller-optician George Linklater, did not want to join the family firm so after qualifying in 1928 set up his own practice in Bexleyheath. The reputation of the practice grew and the firm expanded to three practices with several partners. Ralph continued to work in the Bexleyheath practice, retiring in the mid-1980s. His son Geoff initially rejected optics to become a surveyor, but subsequently re-qualified as an optometrist. Geoff worked alongside his father and Dennis King and together they developed a strong clinical reputation.

In 1988 the practice was purchased by Gordon Ilett and his then business partner. Gordon went on to become sole proprietor in 2005. Geoff Linklater and Dennis King continued to work alongside Gordon, before Geoff moved away to the West Country, and two years later Dennis King retired. In 2008 the Linklater Warren Partnership was created when Gordon Ilett was joined in business by three of his optometrist colleagues Jigna Teli, Sara Windsor and Jasmine Prentice whose energy and new ideas invigorated the practice. In 2013 Optometrist Matthew Carter joined the partnership and Sara Windsor took a step down as partner in order to spend more time with her family. Later in 2013 the business incorporated to become the company it is today: Linklater Warren Ltd. In 2018 Gordon stood down as Director and in 2019 he retired from clinical practice in order to devote more time to his other professional commitments; Gordon is currently the Chairman of the charity SeeAbility, is an Association of Optometrists councillor and sits of various local and national committees.

The clinical reputation and range of services offered by the practice have continued to grow. The practice is fully enrolled in the Bexley Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) meaning patients can benefit from NHS funded emergency appointment and direct ophthalmic referrals if needed. In 2018 Matthew gained his Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutics and so gained the status of Optometrist Independent Prescriber meaning more patients can be treated in practice than ever before. The practice has an interest in patients with learning disabilities and our optometrists work closely with Bexley Social Services, and have helped produce educational videos on this subject for both the College of Optometrists and the RNIB. Other specialist interests held by members of the optometrist team including the treatment of visual stress via colorimetry, myopia control, dry eye, glaucoma and complex contact lenses.

History of Leslie Warren Opticians

Leslie Warren, son of a Sevenoaks jeweller, passed the examination set by The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers in 1915 and set up his practice shortly afterwards.

The practice was initially sited above his father’s jewellery shop, but soon moved to larger premises next door where it remains to this day.

In the mid-1950s a young ophthalmic optician named Peter Reeve joined the firm, which had by this time grown to three practices, the others being in Tonbridge and Orpington. Mr Reeve bought the business in Sevenoaks, the Orpington practice being bought by a Mr Wilkinson who also acquired the Tonbridge practice soon after.

Mr Reeve worked in the practice for many years and developed the reputation of the business. After selling the business to Gordon Ilett in 1998, he continued to work in the business until finally retiring in 2005. In 2008 the Linklater Warren Partnership was created when Gordon Ilett was joined in business by three of his optometrist colleagues Jigna Teli, Sara Windsor and Jasmine Prentice whose energy and new ideas invigorated the practice. In 2013 Optometrist Matthew Carter joined the partnership whilst Sara Windsor took a step down as partner in order to spend more time with her family. Later in 2013 the business incorporated to become the company it is today: Linklater Warren Ltd. In 2018 Gordon stood down as Director and in 2019 he retired from clinical practice in order to devote more time to his other professional commitments; Gordon is currently the Chairman of the charity SeeAbility, is an Association of Optometrists councillor and sits of various local and national committees.

Over the past few years the practice has been re-equipped and features the latest diagnostic equipment such as the OCT scan and its clinical reputation has gone from strength to strength.

All this equipment would of course be of little use without the skilled team of optometrists now working at Leslie Warren’s, many of whom trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital as well as in private practice and all continue to develop their skills.

History of Linklater & Warren Opticians

Following the company's ongoing successes in Bexleyheath and Sevenoaks the Directors were keen to expand and bring our unique brand of eye care to a wider audience. In 2014 the opportunity arose when 30a High Street, Chislehurst became available, the result was the eventual opening of Linklater & Warren Opticians in August 2014.

30a High Street, Chislehurst underwent an impressive transformation from dilapidated men’s clothes shop into a modern, stylish and comfortable optometric practice that is fully equipped with the latest testing room technology. Staffed by the group’s team of highly experienced, professional and friendly Optometrists the new practice delivers the same high-quality eye care, customer service and fantastic frame range that our other practices (Linklaters Optometrists, Bexleyheath and Leslie Warren Opticians, Sevenoaks) are well known for.

Dispensing Optician and Linklater & Warren Opticians practice manager, Joanna Fendick, has worked within the Linklater Warren practices and is driven by quality and proving the additional service our patients expect. She has worked within the optometry sector as a Dispensing Optician for over 17 years and has a special interest in complex prescriptions, frame styling and fashion forward eyewear.

The practice has grown rapidly since opening and has established for itself a reputation of clinical excellence and exquisite eyewear. The practice is fully enrolled in the Bromley Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) meaning patients can benefit from NHS funded emergency appointment and direct ophthalmic referrals as needed. In 2018 optometrist and company director Matthew Carter completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutics and so gained the status of Optometrist Independent Prescriber meaning more patients can be treated in practice than ever before.