Category: Our staff

Goodbye to Becks!

Posted on by Nic Rayner

Goodbye to Becks

It’s been a big week for the Grey Street Gang! Not only did we enjoy an amazing trip to Silmo Paris, we also said goodbye to our friend and colleague Becks.

It’s been an honour to work with Becks for the past 3,5 years. She brought positivity, creativity and a whole load of fun to our team. Now it’s time for her next adventure and we wish her the very best.

Any follower of Grey St. Optician will be familiar with Becks and just how wonderful she is. So we thought we’d ask Becks herself some of her favourite bits from her time on our team…

 

Becks’ Best Bits

15 year anniversary 
In August 2022 the team spent the weekend in Luchie House, North Berwick. We explored, relaxed and so much fun!

Team GSO on the beach in North Berwick

Charity C2C Challenge
In March 2022 Becks cycled 150 miles Coast to Coast to raise money for Seva Vision. Seva Vision are global nonprofit eye care organisation that works with local communities in developing countries to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight. Seva has provided surgeries, eyeglasses, medicine, and other eye care services to over 46 million people in more than 20 countries.

Putting smiles on hundreds of newly-framed faces
This one speaks for itself! Here’s some of Becks’ finest handiwork

Ahlem Styled by Becks

 

 

Kuboraum styled by Becks

 

Orgreen styled by Becks

And finally:

Meeting and working with the best and most creative in the business.

Becks’ Best Bits

A word from Becks…

‘During my time at Grey St. we survived a pandemic, celebrated a milestone 15 years in business, welcomed our optician Fran, partied at Laura’s wedding and cuddled 3 new Grey St. babies. Needless to say, it’s been eventful.Grey St. was the perfect place for me as we shared the same belief that eyewear is more than putting frames on faces. It’s about encouraging individuals to celebrate who they are, discovering new things, bringing joy, being compassionate and creating lasting connections.Although I am moving along on my journey into something new, these values will come with me along with the friends that I will always cherish and memories I will never tire smiling about.Thank you everyone and stay groovy,Becks

 

 

 

NEFempowerment Interview

Posted on by Nic Rayner

 

Read all about it!

If you’re a follower of our socials, you’ve probably spotted our NEFempowerment interview! NEFempowerment is a creative corner of the internet dedicated to showcasing the inspiring people and businesses of the North East of England. It’s an honour to say that we’ve been included in that list!

NeFe shares our belief in the importance of community, and we really couldn’t be in better company.

Creator Charlotte has previously featured local entrepeneurs such as Sarah Taylor, founder of vegan skincare line Pajoma, and barista cafe owner Jo Peel of Regular Jo’s Coffee (both of whom just to happen to be friends of GSO too!)

As well as interviews with some fascinating folk, the site also features local guides on everything from the best brunch spots to smallbiz stocking fillers. NeFempowerment is our go-to blog for all things NE so when Charlotte reached out about our own feature we were thrilled!

Everyone who knows our team knows we’re an opinionated bunch with plenty to say! We decided we couldn’t just hear from one member of team GSO, so we got together and shared out the questions equally…

Charlotte asked us about our business approach, our brands, and our challenges and achievements. She also asked us what we love about the north east (hint: the people and the pastries!)

Finally we chatted about equality, community and how that links into everything we do here at Grey St. Optician.

The interview

Here’s a sneak peek:

NEFE: What is Grey St. Optician?
Nic: Grey St. optician is a glasses store with a difference. We have been sharing our passion for amazing eyewear in the centre of Newcastle since 2007

NEFE: What do you love most about living and working in the North East?
Frederike: There’s a good vibe in Newcastle at the moment with lots of cool, independent stores and of course the people are so friendly!

NEFE: Why is community so important to you?
Laura: We seek out brands who share our values and introduce their work t the people of the north east. The frames we sell are unique. We often hear of customers spotting each other “that looks like a Grey St. frame!” It inspires a little connection

NEFE: What does your average day look like?
Becks: No day is average at Grey St! We sprinkle fun, joy and passion into everything we do. We are a team of busy bees who like to do things differently.

To read the feature in full, click here:

NeFempowerment chats to Grey St. Optician

And we can confirm, Ruth does indeed say “lush” all the time! Honestly we think it sounds better in her Glaswegian accent!

 

 

Love THEO Training!

Posted on by Nic Rayner

Theo Training Trip

Theo HQ

What a blast we had in Antwerp last week on our Theo training trip! We visited Theo headquarters in Belgium to explore inside the minds behind the weird, wonderful and beautiful things they do and create.

Theo Training

 

Theo Training

Theo Training

It was lovely to learn more about the history of Theo and how it all began. From the wild, creative eyewear force of father Wim, to the organisation and attention to detail instilled by his sons to turn this family business into a global force.

Theo Training

theo training trip

Feeling the love

There was time to explore the city of Antwerp and sample the Belgian beer, chocolate and food!

We LOVE having a close connection to the people behind the frames and sharing their stories with you.

http://www.theo.be

Antwerp

ANTWERP TRIP : MONDAY 10TH JULY

Posted on by Nic Rayner

ANTWERP TRIP

ANTWERP TRIP

Grey St. Optician will be CLOSED on Monday 10th July. Our good friends from Belgium, THEO, have invited us over for a visit!

This was a trip no-one wanted to miss so the full GREY ST. team will be there. Normal service will resume from 10.30am on Tuesday 11th July with many tales to tell…

ANTWERP TRIP

STORIES

Theo are a brand with a story to tell and we have been telling their story for over ten years on Grey Street! They continue to surprise us with their latest offerings which are always bright, fun and completely original.

We are looking forward to discovering what they are dreaming up next, and how they bring it to life in their Antwerpen Entrepot.

ANTWERP TRIP

Unique eyewear

Theo release “families” of frames with exciting new themes. Each family of frames has 4 or 5 models with a variety of interesting shapes. Each shape has an assortment of amazing colours to blow your mind!

The family, shape and colour you choose will make your Theo glasses novel and unique to you. Glasses are an extension of your personality so why not make them bright, interesting and fun?!

THEO MONSTER

Introducing the families

Here’s a brief intro to some of Theo’s families, and the story behind them…

Perspective

Antwerp trip

Beck’s is wearing this stunner from the Perspective family which has channelled the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.
Becks wearing Theo eyewearHis famous one-point-perspective has already proven its use in painting, architecture
and engineering, but centuries after the Renaissance, it also works for eyewear
design! Bigger at the front, smaller at the back, that’s how Leonardo’s ‘illusion of
depth’ works on a flat canvas. Like a worthy apprentice, Theo has put their own spin on the
master’s rules, keeping the dimensions of the drawing, but freeing the design from
its flat surface. The result? Artistically asymmetrical frames! It’s like looking at an
intriguing piece of sculpture: when the angle changes, so does the illusion. Extreme
depth to extreme symmetry with a turn of the head.

 

Pop Art

pop art eyewear

If you have Theo’s Pop art glasses on then you have a nose for art!
pop art Antwerp Trip“Eye-catcher in this special broadcast: everywhere people reported seeing sixties
celebrities like Elvis P., Liz T., Jackie K. or Debbie H. on the street. Holograms,
lookalikes, mass history, fake news? On closer inspection, they were always ordinary
individuals with extraordinary glasses from the exclusive Pop art family of theo
eyewear.”
A. Warhol must be snickering somewhere in higher realms. The names of the 4 Pop art
models refer to his famous star portraits: Elvis, Liz, Jackie and Debbie. For the bold
contours, the colours and the printing dots, fashion godchild Tim Van Steenbergen and
home designer Serge Bracké found inspiration in Roy Liechtenstein.

 

Swings

swings

Like a child on a swing:
Antwerp spectaclesClose your eyes and dream away: you’re on the highest swing! Up and down, higher
and higher, reaching for the sky. The newest theo family makes you feel joyous like
a child on a swing. If pure fun can be expressed in acetate frames, this is what it
looks like: three colours in one design, a transparent curve and a playful pattern,
it doesn’t get much merrier than that. When you look at the world through these
cheerful spectacles, you forget about grownup restrictions. Just release that inner
child and play!

 

 

Look out for updates from our Antwerp trip in the next week or two https://www.greyst.co.uk/journal/

 

 

 

https://www.theo.be/

 

 

Congratulations Fran…

Posted on by Nic Rayner

DISPENSING OPTICIAN!

Fran has passed her final examinations with flying colours. She is now a fellow of British Dispensing Opticians! Well done Fran!

Fran Dispensing Optician

First Class

After achieving a 1st class honours degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from Anglia Ruskin University, Fran gained experience at independent opticians in Cambridge and Darlington before joining the team at Grey Street. Here, she has completed her 5 years of training and taken her final exams to register as a fully qualified Dispensing Optician. We are very proud of her!

Fran Optician

Celebrations

What better way to celebrate, than with a new pair of glasses? Fran has chosen this stunning Jacques Marie Mage frame to mark her achievement. How fantastic does she look?!

 

 

 

 

 

Becks’ Coast 2 Coast Challenge

Posted on by Nic Rayner
Our lovely Becks is gearing up to take on the Coast to Coast Cycling Challenge!
She’ll be joined by her partner Johannes, and armed with her trusty photochromic glasses.
They’re setting off from Whitehaven on the West Coast, on Monday 28th March. From there they’ll cycle an epic 140 miles, arriving in Sunderland by Thursday 31st March.

Becks and Johannes are taking on this challenge for two fantastic charities:

Inspire Youth Tyne and Wear

A not-for-profit youth organisation that works with 5-16 year olds across Tyne & Wear providing free specialised mentoring, socialising opportunities, meals and support for disability and extra needs groups. All sessions are delivered in safe, controlled, enriching, and productive environments. Becks volunteers once a week at Inspire Youth and has seen first-hand the positive impact they make on children’s lives.

Seva Foundation

A global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities in developing countries to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight. Seva has provided surgeries, eyeglasses, medicine, and other eye care services to over 46 million people in more than 20 countries. Johannes became aware of Seva through the organisation ‘The Life You Can Save’, which has identified it as one of the most impactful global charities.

If you’d like to support them with a small donation, you can do so HERE:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/C2C-Becks-Johannes

Here’s what Becks had to say…
“For a novice cyclist like me this will definitely be a challenge…
I faced my lifelong fear of cycling in September 2020 when I met Johannes who convinced me to get back on the saddle and has acted as my stabilisers ever since. For Johannes, a seasoned cyclist who has cycled all across Europe from Berlin to Istanbul, this excursion from the Irish Sea to the North Sea will be a breeze.Our journey will begin on Monday 28th March and end by Thursday 31st March.We would be so grateful if you were interested in helping us raise money for two important causes through our pedal power.
Every and any donation is gratefully appreciated.
 
Thank you for your generosity!
& wish us luck! 
Becks & Johannes”
Becks has been training hard for this immense challenge and we’re super proud of her!

GO BECKS!

The Gang’s All Here!

Posted on by Nic Rayner

Extended Availability

 

After the birth of Phoenix last year, we’re delighted to welcome Rachel back into the fold.

With Rach back, our team is stronger than ever before! And a stronger team means we’re able to see even more of your lovely faces!

We’ve opened up our diary to add more space for Frame Consultations. If you’re in the mood for new specs, there really couldn’t be a better time…

As Spring 2022 arrives, so have deliveries from some of our absolute favourite brands. We’re currently adding the latest collections from Lowercase NYC, Kuboraum, Ahlem, Theo and Garrett Leight California Optical to our shelves. Each collection brings something new and exciting, and we can’t wait to show you all.

 

As always, the best way to see for yourself is to arrange a Frame Consultation. Here’s a little teaser of what you’ll find…

Sustainable Eyewear

Californian craftsmen GLCO have launched their first ECO collection: Four timeless shapes made from a sustainable eco-acetate that is bio-based and biodegradable. The models are exactly what you’d expect from the coolest eyewear brand on the planet, in a colour palette inspired by nature itself.  CEO Garrett explained, “For over a decade, California has been a huge influence on the brand and our love for it extends to the planet we share.”

Accompanying the frames is a cleaning cloth made from 80 percent plastic bottles, a case made from animal-free eco-suede, and a case wrapper made from FSC-certified recycled paper.

 

It’s Now or Never

Theo, The Ultimate Eyewear Innovators, have once again collaborated with Matali Crasset for their latest project “Now or Never”. The collection is inspired by New Beginnings, the possibility of choice, and the return to freedom. These frames are made for those who dare to stand out!

 

It’s also Now or Never for fans of Theo’s iconic Mille collection…

Inspired by the Millennial Generation, these frames are suitably distinctive but universally wearable. They’re confident, outspoken and embrace individuality.

Like it’s generational namesake, the collection has grown bigger and bolder since its inception, with more colour and detail added each season.

The latest series, Mille+90, is the most ambitious yet.

Mille+90 will be Theo’s last Mille collection. Each piece is made in small batches and strictly limited. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

 

If you want to own a piece of Eyewear History, the time is NOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is famously a time for New Beginnings, and this feels especially true in 2022. People are ready for a refresh, both in terms of their image and their outlook. We believe that the right piece of Eyewear can do both!

Laura & Aidan are getting married!

Posted on by Nic Rayner

GREY ST. CLOSING EARLY

Laura and Aidan are getting married this weekend! To mark this happy occasion the whole Grey St. team will be joining in the celebrations. We will be closing the doors at 2pm on Saturday 27th November and putting on our dancing shoes.

glasses

Appointments

If your planning to come in on Saturday, please come early! As always, it’s best to make an appointment https://www.greyst.co.uk/appointments/

opticians

Thanks guys!

Big thanks to all of our lovely customers who have sent cards and kind messages to Laura! ❤️

Thanks to Laura for being an all round superstar. We hope you have a fantastic day!

 

 

 

Nadia

Posted on by Nic Rayner

Meet Nadia, the newest member of our team.

Nadia

Nadia came to Grey St. looking for a pair of glasses. We loved her so much we asked her to stick around!

Originally from Scotland, she has lived and worked all over the world, including a stint in an Optician down under.

We’re glad she has found her way to Newcastle where she lives with her partner and Lars the whippet.

Lars in glasses

Lars

 

When she’s not brightening (and tidying) our days, you’ll find her volunteering @sewsistersstudio teaching sewing skills to women in Newcastle.

Nadia is a creativity queen with a knack for organising and an eye for colour. We’re overjoyed to have her on our team!

 

 

 

Laura is now a Dispensing Optician!

Posted on by Nic Rayner

Three cheers for Laura!

 

Great news, Laura has passed her exams and is now a fully-qualified Dispensing Optician!

 

Optician

“I’m so happy and proud to have qualified after four years of hard work!

I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement and support of our lovely patients, and the whole GREY ST. team.

Thank you all!”