iWarehouse is a small family run business situated in great Yarmouth, Norfolk. We have many years experience between us and have all worked at various opticians during our working lives.
There are currently 5 of us that work here, and are all family! Between us we have worked for independent opticians, big multiple chain opticians, frame distributors and glazing laboratories, so we know the industry inside-out!
We are a fully qualified dispensing opticians, so we can offer everything any other optician can offer (apart from the eye test) but at massively reduced rates.
We offer frames and lenses from all the major brands (and all the not so major brands too!!!)
We can supply Single Vision, Bifocal, Varifocal, Thinner lens materials, Photochromic, Transitions and XtrActive lenses, Impact resistant lenses, Anti-scratch coatings, Anti-glare coatings, Polarised lenses, Tints, Mirror coatings and more.
We can repair broken frames, We can re-glaze old frames and we collect unwanted specs for the Lions collection to help 3rd world countries.
We set iwarehouse up to offer customers what they actually wanted - great specs at great prices, and without all the usual gimmicks, offers and sales. We price our specs at the lowest they can be...simple!
Meet the team...
Well, where do we start!
We are all family at the iWarehouse…literally!
We have Nick Wilson (co-owner) and Gail Wilson, who’s 3 daughters Jeanette, Sally-Anne and Claire all worked here, (Claire has moved onto other ventures) Leigh (co-owner) is married to Claire, and 2 of their children, Max & Rosie used to work here, but have now moved onto pastures new. Max's fiance, Dileta works here as our admin and office support staff. Both of Jeanette’s children, Joe & Emily also worked here. emily has also gone to persue other career options, whilst Joe has remained as part of the iWarehouse family!
So, here we all are...
Leigh Coleman
(Managing Director, Optical Advisor, Laboratory Technician & Co-Owner)
Leigh started his optical journey as a trainee Lab technician at Specsavers back when he was a teenager (which was a long, long time ago now!) After a break from optics, he set up an optical glazing laboratory, frame distribution company, and eventually the iWarehouse that you see today. All of this with his father-in-law, Nick Wilson. Together they have grown the company to employ other family members, who’s optical experience and knowledge gives iWarehouse the recognition and reputation that sets them apart from the rest.
Personally, Leigh has a keen interest in music and a passion for all things Aquatic, especially Marine, saltwater, Reef aquariums. He has 5 dogs (4 rescues) 8 cats and a whole host of reptiles and fish, and now has chickens too. You will often see their eggs for sale on our reception desk, with all proceeds going to Desparate Dogs Romania charity.
Jeanette George BSc (Hons) FBDO
(Dispensing Optician)
Jeanette is a fully qualified Dispensing Optician, gaining her degree with Honors, in 1998. Since then she has completed regular training through ABDO, is registered with the GOC, and is continuously learning more and keeping up to date about the latest advice, guidance and lens technology.
After graduating, she worked at various Specialist Opticians’ gaining many years of experience with differing Lens using differing specialized products such as Rodenstock, Zeiss and Essilor. That knowledge, gained through years of specialist working, combined with the freedom of iWarehouse being completely independent, means she can offer the best service, advice, knowledge and understanding, without being tied to a particular brand.
Jeanette is another animal lover with rescue dogs, a keen musician offering private piano lessons and performing as a singer in a superb Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Songbird, at theatres across Norfolk.
Sally-Anne Reeder
(Optical Adviser)
Sally – Anne started her optical career at Vision Express in 1999, and has worked for various other high street opticians over the years, and starting the dispensing optician course with specsavers. After a brief break from optics, she returned and has worked for iWarehouse ever since, offering great service and advise, drawing on a wealth of experience and inside knowledge gained from some of the biggest chains in optics.
Sally-anne loves her fitness, wellbeing, Art and all things fashion and of course her little baby…Maisey the Cockapoo!
Joe George
(Optical Advisor, Laboratory Technician)
Joe (jeanettes son) is young, enthusiastic, and learning everything he can on the laboratory side of things, and becoming a very knowledgable optical advisor. He started out when he was younger as part of the Saturday staff at iWarehouse, and has quickly become one of the permanent team. His keenness to learn and calm, collected attitude means he is able to glaze even the most demanding of frames. He is currently responsible for most of the glazing within iWarehouse, along with helping all of our customers with minor repairs and fitting.
Joe has a passion for music, (which seems to run in the whole family) and is in various bands performing locally. He is a well accomplished Bass player and guitarist.
Check out some of his bands...
Dileta Endriukaityte
(Admin Assistant)
Dileta is a passionate, lovely, helpful member of our team. You may not always see her as she is in the office making sure things run smoothly. She will be busy booking your appointments, ordering your lenses and frames as well as meeting and greeting. Dileta is Leigh's future Daughter in-law, and is the Fiance of Max Coleman, who some of you may remember.
She has a passion for anything animal related, is an avid reader, and enjoys nights out to movies and nice resataurants.
Nick Wilson
(Laboratory Technician & Co-Owner – Retired)
Nicks background was in finance, sales & marketing and in the early days was paramount in getting the business off the ground. Combining that with Leigh’s optical background, once they set about starting up iWarehouse together, there was no looking back. During the journey, Nick retrained to became the main Laboratory Technician for iWarehouse, and a specialist in rimless glazing. After many years of hard work, family bereavements, and the pandemic, both Nick and Gail decided to take a step back, and retired. For a while, Nick secretly missed it, as he kept sneaking back in to do the odd job here and there.
Now, however, is thoroughly enjoying spending time with Gail, Monty the spaniel, and enjoying their music, (Nick is an accomplished Guitarist, Banjo, Ukulele, Bouzouki and Mandolin player) their friends, family and numerous adventures in their campervan.
Meet the...
iWarehouse Staff Dog, Fact Checking Department...
Follow our facebook page for fun, weekly "Facts" all checked by our team of expert fact checkers...
(All facts checked by the iWarehouse fact checking department are 100% likely to be wrong!)
Department Motto
"Sniff First. Bark Second. Publish Third."
Mission Statement
To uphold the highest possible standards of completely unnecessary scientific investigation, ensuring every Official iWarehouse Fact is subjected to rigorous scrutiny, extensive sniff testing, peer review, and at least one completely avoidable incident.
Buddy
(Senior Scientific Investigator & Risk Assessment Officer)
The department's longest-serving investigator and unquestionably its most heavily medicated.
Thanks to an impressive collection of prescribed medication, Buddy is now considered "calm"... at least compared to unmedicated Buddy.
Unfortunately, he's still terrified of cardboard boxes, carrier bags, suspicious-looking men, loud noises, rogue recycling bins and, on particularly difficult days, his own reflection.
Every investigation begins with a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure no packaging materials are present.
Favourite phrase:
"I'd investigate that... but is it safe?"
Barney
(Director of Strategic Research & Long Term Thinking)
The department's largest employee and unquestionably its slowest thinker.
Every important decision is preceded by a nap... followed by another nap to properly reflect on the first nap.
Reports are never late, they're simply under extended strategic review™.
He's been reviewing one report since 2022.
Favourite phrase:
"I've nearly finished thinking about it."
Jessie
(Head of Compliance, Rules & Professional Standards)
The department's longest-serving compliance officer and undisputed guardian of the Pawsome Code of Practice.
Jessie is deaf in one ear, which she firmly believes is everyone else's fault.
Departmental policy requires investigators to stand on her "good side", although she may ignore them anyway.
Now in her senior years, Jessie also lives with dementia....She'll happily audit the same report three times, forget she approved it, then launch a disciplinary investigation into whoever authorised it... which was her.
Nobody argues.If Jessie says you've breached Clause 14, you've probably breached Clause 14......even if Clause 14 doesn't appear to exist anymore.
Favourite phrase:
"Who's responsible for this?... Probably you."
Maggie
(Chief Biscuit Tester, Quality Assurance & Unscheduled Chaos Officer)
Powered almost entirely by enthusiasm and what experts believe may actually be rocket fuel.
Officially diagnosed with Departmental ADHD: Absolutely Delighted. Hugely Distracted.
Approaches every investigation like a bull in a china shop, usually knocking over furniture, paperwork and at least one colleague before remembering why she entered the room.
Firmly believes every scientific experiment should involve biscuits.
Favourite phrase:
"Ooh!... What's that?"
Moxie
(Junior Investigator for Unexpected Variables)
Tiny, but with the attitude of a super sized alternative...think Scrappy Doo
Entirely unpredictable.
Frequently abandons investigations after spotting birds, leaves, butterflies, moving shadows or absolutely nothing whatsoever.
Nobody knows what she's investigating, Least of all Moxie.
The department keeps her because nobody else can generate accidental chaos quite so efficiently.
Favourite phrase:
"I don't like this..."
Nelly
(Direcor of Public Relations & Departmental Prestige)
Firmly believes she is descended from royalty.
Despite living in Great Yarmouth, she behaves as though she owns half of Mayfair.
Enjoys tennis with "the girls" at the club and never misses an opportunity to remind everyone exactly how common Boo Boo is.
Insists departmental photographs are taken from her "best side."
Favourite phrase:
"Honestly... standards."
Boo Boo
(Head of Field Operations & Public Engagement)
Proudly Romanian.
Proudly loud.
Proudly common.
Believes every conversation is improved by increasing the volume.
Frequently involved in disagreements with Nelly, usually because Nelly has once again described her as "common."
Has never knowingly used an indoor voice.
Favourite phrase:
"OI!"
Maisey
(Director of Nutritional Standards & Hospitality)
Maisey believes she may be Bionic...She has one eye and is diabetic
Will only approve departmental catering if it's freshly home-cooked.
Supermarket food is inspected with the same expression normally reserved for serious criminal offences.
Nobody knows exactly what she will eat......only what she definitely won't.
Favourite phrase:
"Is that homemade?"
Monty
(Senior Zoomies & Rapid Response Officer)
Official records state that humans walk Monty.Reality strongly suggests Monty walks the humans.
Perpetually travelling at approximately the speed of sound.
Communicates almost exclusively through sprinting, bouncing and the occasional affectionate nibble.
No emergency response has ever been requested quickly enough for Monty.
Favourite phrase:
"FASTER!"
Sasha
(Head of Behavioural Observation & Personal Space Management)
An outstanding investigator......provided absolutely nobody makes eye contact.
Initially reactive around strangers but becomes one of the soppiest members of the department once she knows you're safe.
All interviews are conducted side-on under Pawsome Code Clause 5.7 – Avoid Prolonged Staring.
Direct eye contact is considered both unnecessary and deeply suspicious.
Favourite phrase:
"You can look... just not at me."
In Loving Memory...
As you know, we are all animal lovers at iWarehouse.
We would like to pay respects to those who sadly cannot be here but have left a big hole in all our lives.
In times of great sadness, we highly recommend the services of rainbow bridge pet crematorium.
Alice
