1934-2025, this is
OUR HISTORY
1934
After moving South from Cheshire, William J. Wilkinson becomes the manager of Leslie Warren Optometrists in Orpington, before purchasing the practice and rebranding as his own. Business is off to a good start in the newly renovated high street, and Mr Wilkinson earns a high reputation in the local community.
The Orpington Journal, 1939
(click to enlarge)
1940s
1945
Throughout the next two decades, the business grows with two new locations in Bromley, one in Maidstone and one in Chatham.
The original Orpington Practice, 1955
(click to enlarge)
Two months before the end of the second world war, the last V2 bomb to land in England explodes behind the cinema, ten doors down from Wm J. Wilkinson, shattering the windows but otherwise leaving it unharmed.
Kynaston Road, Orpington, after a similar attack, 1945
(click to enlarge)
1950s
1969
The next generation of Wilkinsons enter the business; Bill, Michael, David and John, all four of William J. Wilkinson’s sons. All of the brother are optometrists, except David, a dispensing optician. Eventually, the brothers will take over the running of the company.
William J. and his son, John, also an optometrist, 1952
(click to enlarge)
The brothers purchase 90 High Street in Tonbridge and open the largest practice yet. Frustrated by the quality of lenses available, around this time, the brothers also establish Kentoptic, a spectacle glazing lab in a Victorian cricket ball factory on Baltic Road in Tonbridge.
The site of the Tonbridge practice ‘GC Tait’, 1967
(click to enlarge)
1972
Wilkinsons Optometrists opens in Sevenoaks, and shortly after, future director and grandson of William J. Wilkinson, Mark, joins and qualifies as a dispensing optician.
Plans for the Sevenoaks practice, 1972
(click to enlarge)
1995
1980s
Mrs. Thatcher’s Health Service Act (1980) sees major reforms in NHS eye services, and Wilkinsons adopt a split approach to private and NHS eye care. This decade sees changes in eyewear style as more choice and individuality becomes available to clients, seeing the end of the iconic ‘NHS range’.
Three generations of the Wilkinson family, early 1980s
(click to enlarge)
Jamie Edney, one of the two current directors and owners, starts as a trainee dispensing optician in the Tonbridge practice. His future wife and co-director/owner, Ayshah, begins studying optometry in 1998 in London before joining the company in 2001 in the Tonbridge practice.
The Sevenoaks practice, late 1990s
(click to enlarge)
2000s
Wilkinsons ventures into the frame manufacturing business with own brands including ‘Devils Advocate’, ‘Soto Noir’, ‘Joe Bananas’, ‘Mes Amis’, and ‘Lars Arnesan’. This begins to earn the business it’s now proud reputation for individual and high quality eyewear.
Our logo after the 2002 rebrand
(click to enlarge)
2015
2016
2018
Tonbridge undergoes a major refit, with an extension to accommodate a state of the art eye care suite. Throughout the build, the practice never closes, operating from a small room at the back of the building site.
The decision is made to start moving toward luxury and independent eyewear with collections including Orgreen, Kirk & Kirk and Anne & Valentin. Tonbridge also invests in OCT.
The Tonbridge practice, then called “wilkinsons …the OPTICIANS” undergoing its facelift, 2015
(click to enlarge)
Directors, Jamie & Ayshah Edney open their own luxury eyewear store, Edney & Edney in Tunbridge Wells. Edney & Edney has gained international recognition for its unique and impressive collection of some of the finest eyewear in the world.
Edney & Edney in Tunbridge Wells, 2022
(click to enlarge)
Alongside the Sevenoaks practice’s refit, wilkinsons …the OPTICIANS becomes Wilkinson Eyewear Studio as it is known today. A major rebrand reflects this change in identity as the company’s reputation shifts from the “normal high street optician” to a provider of eyecare excellence and world-class eyewear.
Wilkinson Eyewear Studio logo, 2018
(click to enlarge)
2020
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Wilkinson Eyewear Studio locks down according to guidelines and continues to provide urgent eyecare throughout.
Director and owner, Ayshah, sporting PPE, 2020
(click to enlarge)
2022
Wilkinson Eyewear Studio invest in OCT across all three studios - evidencing the commitment to providing the best available eyecare to clients.
The Topcon Maestro 2 OCT, available in Bromley, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge since 2022
2025
The Bromley Studio’s stunning new refit is completed, featuring the bespoke, monolithic fumed oak centre piece expertly crafted by sculptor/maker Adam Kershaw.
The occasion is marked with the introduction of two beautiful new collections in the studio - TAVAT and Ahlem.
The Bromley Studio, 2025
WHAT’S NEXT?
With the Edneys now at the helm, the future of Wilkinson Eyewear Studio is set to be as fulfilling and successful as the first 90 years. We will be celebrating our centenary in 2034, an impressive feat for any company!
Although the look may have changed over the past 90 years, William J. Wilkinson’s vision and dedication to customer service has been at the heart of all we’ve done since, a testament to 91 years of business!
The Wilkinson Eyewear Studio team, 2025