You’re Invited: 40th Anniversary Open Day at Barracloughs Polegate!

Time to celebrate!

Saturday 20th June 2026

58a High Street, Polegate

Eye care for the Polegate community

Since 1986

For four decades, we have proudly served the Polegate community. Since opening our doors in 1986, we’ve built our practice on a foundation of unwavering trust and the peace of mind that comes from seeing a familiar, reassuring face.

As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary with the community this June, we are incredibly grateful to the generations of local families who have relied on us for their eye and hearing health. Your continued support is what drives us, and we remain dedicated to providing the highest standard of clinical expertise and personalised care for many more years to come!

You're invited!

Reaching such a significant milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the continued trust and support of our loyal patients, so we are holding an open day to say a massive "thank you!" We would love for you to drop by to celebrate this special anniversary with the team in person. Come and enjoy a slice of our official birthday cake (courtesy of your Practice Manager, Sophia), along with a lovely spread of snacks and refreshments. It is the perfect excuse to simply pop in, share some memories, and toast to the next forty years of local, independent eye care.

Exclusive anniversary offers & a charity prize draw

To make our 40th-anniversary open day truly unforgettable, we are rolling out some fantastic treats just for attendees! For one day only, we are offering an exclusive £40 off complete pairs of glasses - a fitting nod to our four fabulous decades. While you are sipping a drink and browsing the latest frame collections, make sure to buy a ticket for our spectacular anniversary prize draw. We have some absolutely brilliant prizes up for grabs, and even better, all proceeds will be going directly to a wonderful local charity. It is a brilliant opportunity to upgrade your eyewear, win big, and give back to the town all at once. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Pauline Keates - 20 years with Barracloughs, Polegate!

Back in 1986, we took over from Brown & Carruthers Opticians, who were at 58a High Street. At the time, the lovely Pauline Keates worked on reception there, and remained a loyal member of the Barracloughs team for 20 years! We spoke with Pauline about her time in Polegate and how she found being a part of the Barracloughs team. Pauline kindly gave us great insight into her years in Polegate, read on to hear all about it!

"Before Brown & Carruthers started the business in 1985 the shop used to be a lovely ladies' dress shop for many years. My family and I moved to Polegate in 1979 and owned a deli and grocery shop in the High Street opposite The Dinkum pub. My husband also had his own building business and so we got to know many residents over the years. We sold our shop in 1985 and bought a lovely home, still in Polegate.

I then decided to apply for receptionist with Brown & Carruthers and fortunately got the job, little knowing that one year later I would be 'inherited' doing the job I loved starting in 1986 with Barraclough Stiles & Partners, as Mr. Brown had decided to move on.

Over the years so many changes of course - but besides the work, many lovely work colleagues and wonderful friends. I have great memories of good times which still continue to this day, as I am now a widow living alone, but so grateful that I am still remembered and included in any socialising that is going on. I am also very fortunate to have a wonderful ever growing family that keep me busy, and always a helping hand if needed, but sometimes it seems to be the other way round I think! Ha Ha!!

Going back to the working days, after having the shop, I knew many patients very well and always would have a quick catch-up when they came for eye tests etc. It was always nice to see them and reminisce over the years. Because I now live in Bexhill I am still a patient, and always look forward to my visits, as I usually manage to see a familiar face or two and am able to have a quick chat, mind you when I see all the modern equipment used nowadays, I can't help feeling some relief that I am most certainly retired!"