EYE SEE BUTTERFLIES!
When in 2004, Optometrist James Sutton and his wife Michelle started their small online business, Butterflies Healthcare (www.butterflies-healthcare.co.uk), they always saw a time when they would need to expand the business.
Naturally, with his ocular background, James focused on sourcing and supplying the best eye care products he could find, together with a range of proven healthcare products. Comparatively quickly, their growing reputation for providing a first class service, great products and at prices that are far from eye-watering, has resulted in the opening of their first shop near their home and business base in Middleton Cheney, a village on the border of Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.
The Suttons decided to open the shop when the call centre they used which was conveniently located near their house, decided to close down. James explained: “By taking over the premises it meant that no-one at the call centre lost their jobs and we hope that our company’s continuing growth will result in additional local staff recruitment in the near future.” The whole team live in Middleton Cheney.
The shop was officially opened by local MP, Tim Boswell, on Monday 9th November 2009 who said: “It’s lovely to have a chance in these difficult economic times to open and celebrate a thriving business. James and Michelle have clearly found a good business model and I wish them every success. What’s particularly nice is to see people from the local community working locally and attracting local trade.” James added: “Our community is important to us and having the support of our local MP is representative of the way all of us are working together in these challenging times.”
Butterflies Healthcare’s brands are also available through their website, and also from opticians, pharmacies and health stores and include Can-C eye drops; Careway contact lens solution; extreme tolerance make-up and skin care ranges from France for contact lens wearers, Eye Care Cosmetics and NATorigin; nutritional supplements for the joints and eyes, Neoflex and Viteyes; their own designer-brand of prescription swimming goggles, Sutton Swimwear.
Their latest brand, NATorigin, is a new 97% minimum natural French skincare and cosmetic range and the shop opening will also mark its retail launch in the UK. Last year, James designed and launched his own brand of affordable optical swimming goggles, Sutton Swimwear, which are popular with adults who want to see when they are swimming. James believes that these will be a popular line in the shop. Local school governor, Hilary Glenny, said: "Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise which, with the right encouragement, even young children love. It is good to see a village shop opening which will encourage this."
Middleton Cheney would appear to be thriving in these tough economic times – possibly because there is such a strong business and local community. Caroline Stacey, Middleton Cheney Parish Clerk: “This is a great example of how a local firm is helping to cushion the local effects of the recession. We do wish them all the luck, because what’s good for them is good for our local economy.” Fellow business owner Caroline Harriott of at PurpleOrange Photographers, added: "Middleton Cheney is full of vibrant and thriving businesses and it is good to see another one opening; we wish them every success."
Visit the new shop at
27 High Street, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, OX17 2PA
Tel: 0333 700 6704
email: info@butterflies-healthcare.co.uk
www.butterflies-healthcare.co.uk
