independent family run 3rd generation opticians

about us

Third Generation, Independent, Family Opticians.

Now with five branches, Belson & Sons was founded by Leonard P. Belson in 1955 when he established the Docklands practice in London's East End after leaving the Royal Army Medical Corps. He went on to become one of the UK's leading practitioners, especially in the emerging field of contact lenses. He carried out research with some of the pioneering contact lens laboratories of the day, much of which was published in the professional journals.

The group is now operated by Leonard Belson's sons, Simon and Seth, and Simon's son Ethan. With the wisdom from the previous two generations and many years experience, our youngest member Ethan has been a great addition to the Belson & Sons team. Together they maintain the strong tradition of family eye care and quality products which have always made the practices so successful.

Over the years Belson
& Sons has expanded gradually...

1981

pitsea,essex

When Simon qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 1981, Leonard purchased the Pitsea practice from the Rath family, who were at the time synonymous with excellent eyecare in Essex. Still Simon’s favourite practice to work in, Pitsea now boasts state of the art equipment, and is home to the group’s laboratory where all the spectacles we dispense are made.

witham branch

1983

witham,essex

When Seth qualified as an Optometrist in 1983, Seth completed his Pre-Registration training under the supervision of Leonard, at the newly purchased Witham Practice. Bernard Clarke opened the practice after his demob from the army, just after the Second World War. Bernard had a wonderful reputation, and we are proud that Seth has developed and maintained a faithful following of loyal patients, who are also now benefiting from our newly refurbished and equipped consulting room.

corringham branch

1991

corringham,essex

Acquired in 1991, our Corringham Practice came complete with a resident optometrist in place who has remained with us ever since. Over a quarter of a century later Graham Wallis is pleased to count several generations of many families amongst his loyal clients. There's always room for more though, and we're always happy to welcome new individuals and families to the practice.

2017

grays,essex

When the opportunity to add another Rath practice to the group, we really couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Kennedy Rath, a popular figure in Grays and an old friend of the Belson Family, remains with the practice, and the Grays team are continuing to grow the practice and integrate it into the Belson way of doing things, providing first class care to every patient who walks through the door.


A Brief Video Of Our History

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