Dollond & Aitchison

Was established in 1750 and is one of the oldest chains of retail opticians in the UK.

Peter Dolland first opened his optical business near Hatton Garden in London in 1750 and was soon joined by his father John Dolland. They Dollands became famous for the quality of their optical wares.

In 1768 John Dollond was appointed as the Royal Optician to King George III and the Duke of York and in 1781 Peter made the first bifocal spectacles.
The Dollonds were awarded a medal for the excellence of their optical instruments at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851..

James Aitchison had set up his first optical business in Fleet Street in 1889 and in 1927 the two companies merged to form Dolland & Aitchson.

Boots Opticians absorbed the business in 2009 resulting in all their stores being rebranded.