Dolland and Aitchison: The facts

Dollond and Aitchison are the oldest opticians in the United Kingdom. They have always offered superior eye-care and eye-wear. The reputation of D & A is evident in the history of this top eye company.

1750-1969

1750 - According to UK.ask.com, Peter Dollond founded a small optical clinic in Vine Street, close to Hatton Garden in London. 1752 - His father, John Dollond, joined his optical practice The Dollonds promptly became famous opticians due to the excellence of their optical creations. 1768 - John Dollond was selected as the optician to King George III of the United Kingdom and the Duke of York. By 1768, Peter Dollond was making bifocal lenses. 1851 - The Dollonds received an award for the superiority of their optical products at the Great Exhibition in London. 1889 - For his part, John Aitchison started his optical practice. Dollond & Co. came together with Aitchison in 1889 and established the famous optical company called Dollond & Aitchison (D & A). 1969 - The headquarters of D & A moved to its recent location in Aston, Birmingham.

1970-2009

Between 1970 and 1982, Dollond & Aitchison acquired optical companies in the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. 1994 - D & A sold some of their various companies. The introduction of technological services for clients, however, took place during the 1990s. 1996 - D&A launched the computer analysis for the vision. 1997 - D&A created a website. 1999 - Despite of this, De Rigo, a world marker leader and designer of first-class eye-wear and one of the wealthiest optical sellers in Europe, purchased Dollond & Aitchison. 2001 - The restructure of the company followed. 2009 - Dollond & Aichison merged with Boots Opticians after denying financial troubles. Jon Griffin argues, in Boots takes over Dollond & Atchison, available at BirminghamMail.com, that the union of these companies created the second largest UK optical chain. According to Danda.co.uk, the present-day optical company employs over 2,500 staff members, counting more than 400 opticians. De Rigo and Alliance Boots own in conjunction the new D & A, which is expected to take the name brand of Boots Opticians.