Hidden Horsham - Dixeys Opticians

Dixey CB Opticians

Dixey CB Opticians are Horsham's longest serving opticians having set up shop in West Street in 1928. The jewellers Jury Cramp who opened in 1872 also sold glasses but closed for business in 1986

Dixey CB features a curved glass shop front, which offers a browsing area even outside trading hours. This shop front was inspired by PRADA in Milan and installed in 2004, just after Irene and Dirk`s take over. This explains the slight variation in the company name; from Dixeys to Dixey CB, which are the initials for both of their surnames

This was when Dixey CB began to open six days a week, which enables the London commuting clientele as well as international visitors to try their avant-garde frame collections

The shop prides itself on its independence from the high street chain retailers and provides unique frames not available elsewhere in Horsham as well as all types of contact lenses and latest lens technology to very competitive prices. Kids go free, students receive attractive discounts, NHS and private patients are welcome and many other attractive services are available at Dixey CB

This individuality extends to the non profit making art gallery on the first floor, which is available at no cost to local artists, who sell and display their work. If you are lucky you will be greeted by Oscar the boxer who is especially favoured by the children

^"All customers are treated as individuals and the team go out of their way to give you glasses tailored to your style and pocket!^"

This shop was occupied by a photographer in c1867. W Parsley used the premises at that time although very little evidence remains except for the two photos below. The left hand image is of a trade plate whilst the right hand image is a carte-de-visite photograph of an un-named young woman. Any additional information would be gratefully recieved. Images kindly supplied by Sussex PhotoHistory, see external links below

Some previous occupants were photographers

In the photos below it can be seen that Dixeys have moved from their original position. Previously they were next door in the shop now occupied by the British Heart Foundation although the building has since been replaced

Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

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