About Us
With over 100 years of combined experience in all things optical, the team at The Specs
Factory, a new Dispensing Opticians in Norwich, could really see the potential for the
business from the day it opened. The Specs Factory's founders Duncan and John Hockney
established the dispense-only opticians with the conviction that they really could bring
huge savings to Norfolk's spectacle wearers without any compromise on quality.
Duncan had worked in his father John's optical lab as a teenager, and learned to glaze spectacles himself. After studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton he returned home, and with John, former chairman of the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians and of the Ophthalmic Standards Committee, began to develop the idea for a new type of optical outlet selling premiumquality and designer products to the people of Norwich at highly competitive prices.
Richard Edge, an experienced Dispensing Optician and NVQ assessor was recruited to join the team as Dispensing Manager. He was previously practice manager with the Norwich branch of Dollond and Aitchison and has 25 years of industry experience. The Lab Manager, Mark Heinz has worked in the optical industry for 22 years, owning his own prescription house and having been a lab manager with Specsavers. Mark brings a commitment to quality with his expert use of both high-tech equipment and traditional glazing methods.
The team is completed by Emma Gant, Liz Pandea and Caroline Dounavis. Emma has worked in optics for 7 years, most recently as a senior optical advisor with D&A. Liz came to The Specs Factory from Moss and Leakey in Norwich with 10 years experience in dispensing. Caroline completes the team having been trained as an optical advisor at D&A. All of the dispensing team have a commitment to service and can give advice on our range of frames and the suitability of lenses for your prescription.
From The Specs Factory's own range, which starts at £29 for a complete pair of spectacles (including single-vision lenses), to designer brands such as Prada and Donna Karan, The Specs Factory offers glasses to suit all requirements, tastes and budgets.