I think we may have found specs heaven. And all of you Geordie glasses-wearers should rejoice – because it’s right on your doorstop. A bright, brand spanking-new space filled with a selection of glasses so good-looking and on-trend, they wouldn’t look out of place on the catwalk. Here, wearing glasses means feeling and looking fabulous – like a new, shinier version of yourself – and the experience of picking them out your perfect pair feels just as good.
CrossEyes Newcastle is the answer to your eyeballs’ prayers – and you’ll find it High Bridge Street, Newcastle’s hippest, up-and-coming address for trendy shopping and socialising. It’s a street on which independent businesses, from artisan cafes to chic barbers and healthy juice bars, are thriving – and this small, but perfectly-formed, eyewear store is no exception.
Owned and run by Tim Harwood (right), an optician who’s spent over a decade working with some of the high street’s leading names, the boutique is a chic result of an £80,000 investment and Tim’s wish to bring the brand’s bespoke approach to eyewear and optometry to the North East.
You’ll find CrossEyes stores all over the globe – there’s 14 in the UK alone – but Tim’s joint is the first in the region, offering high-quality, fashionable frames at affordable prices to us all. The boutique’s unique, penny-saving pricing approach means all glasses are set at the same price and customers will receive an eye-test, too, once they’ve laid eyes on their dream specs.
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The dreamy frames are created in Denmark – and all have that Scandi-chic that we – and you will no doubt – fall for. Glasses-wearers out there will know the struggle of spectacle shopping on the high-street all too well – choices are limited and often the same everywhere, but CrossEyes’ small, but perfectly-formed, range truly stands out from the crowd, made with high-quality materials (the Danish sure know a thing or two about quality) to the highest spec and designed with style in mind for the individual.
And it’s not just about the frames. Shopping here is also a joy – an experience in itself. Find yourself in one of the big-name opticians and you may just fall asleep while scouring the endless shelves. The clinical surroundings – and atmosphere – might make you feel uneasy. But at CrossEyes, it couldn’t be easier – or more fun.
Not only does the store ooze effortless style, with its scuffed wood flooring, clean white walls, twinkling spotlight lighting and chunky, Pinterest-style shelves and seating, it’s also filled with a helpful, friendly and experienced team, on-hand to help you find frames that suit you from top to toe; your hair colour, your eye colour and overall style. They’re a patient and passionate bunch, acting as your personal shoppers and happy to take as much time as you need to find ‘the one’ (or two in our case).
“Getting your eyes tested and picking some glasses should be an enjoyable experience rather than a chore – and it’s our aim is to make this happen,” says Tim. “In my new set-up, I get to be part of the whole customer journey, from the eye test right through to helping to select a style of frame that’s just right for each individual, giving them as much time as they need in a relaxed environment.”
Tim added: “I’m pleased to have been able to recruit two members of staff from the off who I’m training and mentoring, with scope for a larger team as I may look to roll out the CrossEyes model beyond Newcastle, in the North East. It’s been great to see the positive reaction we’ve had from customers so far and we’re excited for what’s to come.”
Keep your peepers peeled for more news from CrossEyes Newcastle in the May/June edition of Luxe…
CrossEyes Newcastle is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Thursday from 9.30am to 6.30pm and Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm.
For more information, call (0191) 261 1426 or visit crosseyes.co.uk
For regular updates, follow CrossEyes Newcastle on Twitter at @CrossEyes_Newc and Instagram at @crosseyes_newcastle
