About us · five practices · since 2017
A family of independent opticians
Abra & Co is a family of independent opticians serving our local communities with world-class eye care and a professional, personal service. Five practices, each with its own name and its own history, run the way we would want our own parents looked after: unhurried, honest, and by people who know your name.
Our story
Why we started, and what we set out to change
When Sohail and Abra opened the first practice in Middleton in 2017, they kept seeing the same thing: people walking around in glasses that were not right for them. Frames that did not fit. Lenses that did not match the way they lived. Eye tests on a conveyor belt, advice that felt like a sale, and nobody to call afterwards.
So they set out to build the optician they would want for their own family. One where the eye test takes the time it needs. Where what is found is shown to you on the screen and explained until it makes sense. Where the glasses are chosen for the person wearing them. And where you can come back whenever you need to, for as long as you wear what we made you.
That practice became five: Abra & Co in Middleton and Cheadle, Ashworth Opticians in Heald Green, Winsford Eye & Footcare in mid Cheshire, and Armitage Opticians in Heckmondwike. Each kept its own name and its own history, because each is part of its town. What they share is the same training, the same equipment, the same forty-five minutes, and the same rule: recommend what we would recommend to our own parents.
We call it The Modern, Authentic Optician. Modern, because we use the best tools there are to understand your eyes. Authentic, because we take the time to understand you. This is our story, and we would like to be part of yours.
What the words mean
Why modern? Why authentic?
Modern
Using the best tools and knowledge to understand you better. Forty-five-minute eye tests, 3D OCT scans that see the layers behind the retina, gland imaging for dry eye, lens knowledge kept current, so that what we find is explained to you on the screen, and what we recommend is right for how you live.
Authentic
Genuinely taking the time to listen. The trusted family doctor of the past, the pillar of the community who knew you and your family, with today’s equipment. You are never a number here. We see your story, your personality and your lifestyle, and we recommend what we would choose for someone we love.
Our ethos
We don’t rush our care. We personalise. We style. We serve.
We don’t rush our care
Forty-five minutes with the optometrist, every time. Expertise and genuine care take time, and we give it.
We personalise
We get to know the person, not just the prescription. Your days, your work, your life, and what you want from your eyes.
We style
We save people from mediocre eyewear: well-made, stylish frames you will not find on the high street, chosen for your face.
We serve
We help people feel confident in how they see, and how they’re seen. Every visit is a chance to improve someone’s life.
Our mission
Six things we set out to put right
Our mission is to change what people expect from an optician. We measure ourselves against these six, at every practice, every day.
The way you want them to — chosen for your face and your life, not off a shelf.
Not just to sell.
Because we took the time to understand you.
We recommend what we would recommend to our own family.
For as long as you wear what we made you.
Every eye test, every lens and every frame tailored to the person in the chair.
Our values
Our values
Six words every one of us is measured against, on the shop floor and behind the scenes.
Good enough isn’t. We want to be the best practice you have ever been to.
We would rather try something and learn than defend the way it has always been done.
Your time and your dignity, treated the way we would want our own to be. No exceptions on a bad day.
We recommend what we would recommend to our own family, and we say what we actually think.
Caring is the intent. Kindness is how you can tell.
We assume good intent and look for what is possible.
How we give back
Giving back, at home and further afield
Three things we do because we think an optician should.
In July 2026 the Heckmondwike team spent a day at The Mount School in Huddersfield and tested the eyes of 70 children, free — because a child who has never seen clearly assumes everyone sees the way they do. We would rather go to the children than wait for them to come to us. Reported in the Dewsbury Reporter.
In 2026 Sohail joined a charity eye camp in rural South Punjab with the LRBT hospital charity: 30 volunteers, four days, almost 2,000 patients examined, glasses and dry eye treatment provided, and transport arranged for those needing cataract, glaucoma and corneal surgery. He plans to go back. Reported in Optometry Today.
Free NHS eye tests for children and for everyone who qualifies. Free adjustments and small repairs, whether or not you bought your glasses here. Free eyewear styling for anyone who asks.
What it feels like, in patients’ words
Five practices, one standard. Real comments from the survey we send after every visit.
“Never feels rushed.” Forty-five minutes is the appointment, not the target. Nobody is watching the clock, least of all your optometrist.
“A thorough eye check. Never feels rushed.”
“Everything explained.” What we find goes on the screen and is explained until it makes sense. You leave understanding your own eyes.
“They explain everything clearly, take their time, and truly want the best outcome.”
“No pressure.” We recommend what we would recommend to our own family, and we give you the options. The decision is yours.
“No pressure to buy anything you did not want.”
“Thorough.” Twelve checks, a photograph of the back of each eye, and the 3D OCT scan if you choose it. More than the standard test, at every practice.
“I was informed of everything that was to happen in my eye test, and it was a very thorough appointment.”
“Great with children.” Pictures and matching cards for the little ones, patience for the nervous ones, and a free NHS test for all of them.
“The optician was very patient and great with my daughter, who is four. He made the examination fun for her.”
“The best I have been to.” That is the standard we set ourselves in 2017, and the one every practice is measured against.
“I have been coming for many years and the care remains exceptional.”
Independent, family owned, and here whenever you need us.
The people
The people who will see you
Every eye test is with a named optometrist on the General Optical Council register, and wherever we can, the same one next time. The dispensing team and front of house are the same faces every visit.
- Your optometristTakes the forty-five minutes, explains what was found, and writes the prescription.
- The dispensing teamHelp you choose frames and lenses that suit your face and your life, and fit them when they arrive.
- Front of houseBook you in, sort the NHS forms, and ring you back when they say they will.
- Sohail and AbraBoth optometrists. They train and coach every team, and look at the complex cases with your optometrist behind the scenes.
Near you
Find your nearest practice
Opticians in Cheadle
Abra & Co, 19 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle SK8 1DW
Five minutes from Cheadle Hulme and Gatley, ten from Stockport and Didsbury, fifteen from Wilmslow.
Opticians in Heald Green
Ashworth Opticians, 214 Finney Lane, Heald Green SK8 3QA
Five minutes from Gatley, ten from Wythenshawe, fifteen from Sale and Altrincham.
Opticians in Middleton
Abra & Co, 36 Long Street, Middleton M24 6UQ
Eight minutes from Heywood, ten from Chadderton and Blackley, fifteen from Rochdale, Oldham and Prestwich.
Opticians in Winsford
Winsford Eye & Footcare, 27 Delamere Street, Winsford CW7 2LX
Ten minutes from Northwich and Middlewich, twenty from Knutsford, Crewe and Nantwich.
Opticians in Heckmondwike
Armitage Opticians, 14 Market Street, Heckmondwike WF16 0JU
Eight minutes from Cleckheaton, ten from Dewsbury, Batley and Mirfield, twenty from Morley.
Reviews
What our patients say
4.9★★★★★
G 600+ Google reviews across five practices
“Brilliant service very friendly staff and a no rush service Really informative and helpful when reviewing and selecting a new pair of glasses would highly recommend”Google review · Middleton · July 2026
“Many thanks to Abra & Co. I greatly appreciate the time that they spent helping me select the perfect glasses. The staff are friendly, informative and knowledgeable. I’ll be returning for years to come.”Google review · Middleton · April 2026
“Absolutely fabulous, professional and friendly always looking after me would recommend them”Google review · Middleton · March 2026
Frequently asked questions
Who runs the practices?
We are five independent practices owned and run by two optometrists, Sohail Khan and Abra Arshad. Each practice kept its own name because each is part of its town.
Why do the practices have different names?
Ashworth in Heald Green, Armitage in Heckmondwike and Winsford Eye & Footcare were established local practices before they joined the family, and their names mean something in their towns. Behind each is the same training, the same equipment and the same forty-five minutes.
Who owns Abra & Co?
Sohail Khan and Abra Arshad, both optometrists, who opened the first practice in Middleton in 2017 and still consult in the practices.
Can I move to you from another optician?
Yes, whenever you like. Bring your last prescription if you have it; if not, we start from the beginning. NHS patients are welcome at every practice.