When David Syme launched Edinburgh eyewear company Spectacles Direct in 2004 his aim was to supply exceptional customer service and a wide range of quality frames and lenses to suit all budgets. Now, having earned an enviable reputation in the optical industry, Spectacles Direct has changed its name to Gibson & Syme. David Syme explains his reasons behind the bold move.
“The name Spectacles Direct has served us well. However, the company has grown over the years to become so much more than a stockist of budget glasses. It was time to take our brand to another level with a name that matched our offer as a leading supplier of top designer eyewear names such as Tom Ford, Silhouette and Emporio Armani. We still offer a range of budget spectacles starting from £19 complete so have something for everyone, but we’re fast becoming the first choice for customers looking for something special that’s difficult to find elsewhere. Choosing glasses should be fun as they’re so much more than a visual aid; they’re a fashion item designed to showcase your individuality. As we’re an independent business we’re not restricted by the selection carried by the big chains. This means we can offer our customers so many exclusive brands that are also quite quirky such as Mad in Italy.”
WHY GIBSON & SYME?
So why choose the name Gibson & Syme? “As a local Edinburgh businessman, I’ve built the business from scratch” says David. “At the heart of our success is our company values of delivering the best service we can. My staff completely buy into this and leading the team is showroom manager Kirsty Gibson. It just seemed right to add Kirsty’s name to mine above the door. The joint names of Gibson & Syme reflect the team effort it takes to run a successful independent retail business. We’re confident our regular customers will like it.”
ESSILOR VARILUX LENS SPECIALIST
In addition to retailing a huge number of spectacle frames by top brand names, Gibson & Syme are Essilor Varilux lens specialists. Sales of varifocal lenses are on the increase as many people prefer just one pair of glasses to cope with various tasks from reading to driving. Essilor produce some of the finest varifocal lenses on the market which are tailored specifically for the the customer’s needs. Gibson & Syme aren’t just limited to Essilor however, as they also supply lenses by Nikon, Zeiss, Hoya and Kodak.
LOCATION & PARKING
Another reason to visit Gibson & Syme is their location. By not having a high street address, the company can offer fair prices without compromising on service. David explains why this has been a good move for the business and its customers.
“We invested heavily in a new showroom on Bonnington Road last year. It’s bigger and brighter than our previous showroom with more wall space for our expanding eyewear range. Plus, we have our own parking spaces so our customers don’t have the stress of driving around town. Everything adds up to a more relaxed and enjoyable experience which is how it should be when having an eye test or buying new glasses.“
CONTACT US
Browse our new website, call 0131 553 9000 to book an eye test or just pay a visit to see one of the largest eyewear ranges in Edinburgh.