A FAMILY-OWNED business is on track for a sales record following a £100,000 refurbishment of one its practices.

Wilkie & Rider has been trading for six decades with practices in Alexandria and Dumbarton saw an immediate uplift in turnover following the March 2019 makeover of its Vale store.

The refurbishment included a £20,000 investment in a new state-of-the-art Visioffice 2 digital scanning system – which measures how an individual’s behaviour affects the performance of their glasses.

Sian Wilkie, a third-generation owner-director of the business, said: “It’s a fantastic machine that allows us to provide an even more personalised service to our clients.

“We didn’t expand the space, but the place looks much bigger because of the open- plan layout, it’s a space with a modern feel that reflects the quality of eye care that has always gone on in the back rooms.”

She added that the new interior has been well-received by customers. The practice carries out an average of 1,000 eye tests every quarterly, while the retail stock includes eyewear from popular brands as well as jewellery, watches and giftware.

Sian added: “I think creating that sense of high-quality, personal service gives people the confidence to maybe spend that bit more while they are in the shop.”

The opticians have been serving the communities of West Dunbartonshire since 1956 when William Wilkie joined formerly known as Hudson’s.

The practice was re-named Wilkie & Rider in 1968 and is today run by the founder’s son William and grandchildren Sian and Willis.