About Us
Continuing a 40 Year Legacy with Fresh Vision
Honouring Our Past, Focusing on Your Future
“I started working in Allestree back in 1984 at the tender age of 26, taking over from Irving Lamell. I had joined the partnership of Bray & Petrie Opticians, they having just purchased the business from Irving on his retirement. At that time they were booking about four people in a week, so I spent my time doing half a day in Allestree and the other half at another practice we had in Matlock. Over several years the place got busier and when the Park Farm Shopping Centre was expanding, with extra units being built, we decided to move to where we are now located. New staff were taken on, many of them still with the practice today, and that allowed us to build what is now a busy practice.
Working for the NHS can be quite challenging at times, but establishing links with the local eye surgeons and GPs and working alongside my brilliant staff have made it worthwhile. The main reason for continuing as long as I did was simply that I enjoyed chatting with the people that I have seen in the examination room, many growing old with me, and often it being more like a meet-up with old friends than a consultation with patients. I can’t go on forever though and realise that it is now time to pass the reins on to someone new and Steve Garner has worked with me for over five years now. I can see a lot of the younger me in Steve (apart from him being taller) and I am confident that he will take the practice on to even bigger and better things.
So a big thank you to all my loyal staff and patients as I couldn’t have enjoyed my career without you!”
- Phillip Bradley, Founder, Oct 2025
“As the new owner of Phillip Bradley Opticians, I’m honoured to follow in Phillip’s footsteps, our highly regarded founder who has provided over 40 years of exceptional eye care in Allestree. With great respect for his commitment to quality, I’m dedicated to upholding the same outstanding service and products our community trusts. Alongside our experienced team, enriched with fresh talent, I’m excited to carry forward this tradition while bringing new energy to evolve the practice, ensuring we remain at the forefront of expert eye care as new technologies and consumer demands appear. Your vision remains our focus. We warmly welcome back our valued customers and invite anyone else who values exceptional optical care to discover our trusted service.”
- Stephen Garner, Director, Oct 2025
Meet The Team
We have a fantastic team at Phillip Bradley Opticians, who are here to help you at every step of your eyecare journey, from triaging symptoms, to booking your appointments, testing your eyes and helping select any products recommended for your vision or eye health. The journey doesn’t stop there as we provide aftercare, glasses servicing, exam recalls, and we’re always just a phone call away for any advice. The practice wouldn’t be successful without our wonderful staff, all of whom are integral to the smooth running of the business.
We have Jane, Debbie and Emma on the desk, the front line for any questions or concerns you may have. Our experienced Optometrists Wendy and Steve perform our comprehensive eye examinations which are tailored to your individual requirements. From there you may need to see Nette, our skilled Dispensing Optician who will help you make informed decisions on your glasses frames and lenses.
We have now also partnered with Harriett from Derbyshire Audiological Services, who is here for all of your hear care needs.
We are very proud of this team and hope you can see why when you come to visit!
Optometrists
Wendy Poplar BSc (MCOptom)
Wendy qualified as an Optometrist from Aston University in 1993 and has been an integral part of the Phillip Bradley Opticians team since 2004 and is a member of The College of Optometrists. Highly regarded by our loyal customers, she provides comprehensive eye examinations, fitting and advising contact lens wearers, has a special interest in dry eye management and conducts colorimetry testing which can prescribe coloured overlays and tints to help in the management of visual stress.
Wendy enjoys being a part of the Allestree community and is respected for her knowledge and professionalism here in our wonderful team.
Stephen Garner BSc (Director)
Steve went to Aston University where he qualified as an Optometrist in 2001. He has spent many years as a locum optician which has given him a very rounded understanding of the optical world. He has been working at Phillip Bradley Opticians since 2020 and has built up a loyal customer base thanks to his thorough eye tests and detailed explanations to his patients.
Steve lives locally, with his wife, three children and dog, and loves being able to serve Allestree and the surrounding area with his knowledge and expertise. He also relishes working in such a close and professional team and is someone you can always come to with any questions or concerns.
Dispensing Optician
Antoinette Ladell (FBDO)
Nette became a fully qualified Dispensing Optician in 2010 after studying at the City and Islington College. She moved to Derbyshire in 2019 when she immediately began her time at Phillip Bradley Opticians. She has an extensive knowledge of spectacle frames and lenses and has built strong connections with many suppliers, meaning we are able to source a wide variety of the best quality products thanks to her hard work and dedication.
Our regular customers now recognise Nette as a great source of knowledge and know they can depend on her to give them the advice they need to make informed decisions on their glasses and lens selections, and Nette loves being able to provide this service to them!
Audiologist
Harriett Rowlands (HAD BHSAA)
Harriett is the local and residential Hearing Aid Audiologist. She qualified in 2009 and has a long history working all her adult life in private Audiology. From working with nationals to running her own audiological companies she is our trusted professional that provides Audiology within the practice. Having a vast knowledge and experience of each supplier she will securely help advise you on products, care packages, hearing aids and amplification.
Harriett enjoys spending time and approaching each patient as an individual with time and care. This non pressure approach reflects through out each appointment helping our patients feel confident that they are being guided in a fair and professional manner.
Whether its an initial complimentary consultation or just someone to talk to about their ear care troubles she is always happy to help.