A SKIPTON opticians is up for a top national award.

After already securing a string of awards last year, this is the big one for the company.

‘The Optician’ Practice of the Year is the one most coveted by opticians across the country, and Skipton’s Benjamin Opticians is down to the last five, having now been shortlisted for it.

The team are now celebrating the nomination and to be a finalist is a honour in its own right, said owner Liz Ellis.

She said: “Our team has worked incredibly hard over the past few years as we’ve grown the practice.

“This is an honour for everyone and we are taking almost all the entire team to the awards ceremony.”

Following an extensive overhaul of the practice in 2018, the business has been going from strength to strength. Nominated for Practice Growth nationally, winning at the Skipton Business Awards and winning Practice of the Year at the Sightcare Awards were all great achievements, which recognised the work of the whole team.

Some of the team members at Benjamins also stand out, said Liz, with Dr Chris Davy being recognised for his work overseas in Africa and Eleanor Hill winning Young Contact Lens Optician of the Year.

The Optician Awards are given out at a glitzy ceremony and dinner in April.

Liz said: “I would be over the moon to win – we’ve had a taste of success in the past year and have some great accolades to our name and this is the pinnacle in the optical industry.

“We pride ourselves on being the best we can, offering exceptional service to our patients.

“This award would be the icing on the cake for Benjamins and Skipton.”