Castleton opticians J H Fisher closes down

Long-established opticians J H Fisher has closed its Castleton shop after over three decades in business.

The village opticians has redirected all of its patients to its Heywood store and has assured them that a full service is still available to them, but running a shop in Castleton is no longer “cost effective”.

The family-run company was opened in 1982 by Howard Fisher, although his grandparents ran a similar opticians in the village for decades before, dating as far back as the 1950s.

Castleton Councillor Billy Sheerin has spoken of his disappointment. He said: “When I was a boy I remember going to Fishers for my first ever pair of glasses. That is some time ago now, it must have been back in the 1950s, so it was a long-established business.

“I am disappointed to see such a long standing business leave Castleton during a time of regeneration, there should be businesses coming in like the Old Post Office Ale House, not businesses going out, I feel bitter disappointment and it is a real pity for the people of Castleton.”

Company co-owner Pat Fisher told Rochdale Online that the closure of the Castleton shop was sad but that she has high hopes for Heywood. She said: “It has been a family business for a long time, Howard Fisher had the Castleton shop since 1982, and his grandparents ran a similar business for years before that. So it is sad, of course, but unfortunately it is no longer cost-effective to run the Castleton operation.

“All patients in Castleton are being told about the merge and all their details will be safely in Heywood. We are still in the process of letting everyone know about it. We hope to continue as usual in the Heywood shop and also in Tottington.”

The store officially closed last Monday (29 February). The Heywood shop is based on 2 Market Place.