Christopher Young was 23 when a conversation at an optical trade fair changed the course of his life. His boss asked whether he wanted to buy the Shepton Mallet opticians where he worked. Young's answer was immediate.

"We had this discussion at an optical trade fair called Optrafair in Birmingham, and he just said, 'Do you want to buy the practice?' I bit his hand off."

This October marks 40 years since Young first arrived at the High Street practice. Over those four decades, he estimates it has examined more than 160,000 eyes and sold more than 40,000 pairs of glasses. Some of the first clients still visit, now bringing their children and grandchildren.

The shop looked rather different in 1986. Young was its manager, splitting his working week between Shepton and another practice in Yeovil. The blinds stayed across the Shepton window.

"When I opened the practice as manager, we weren't allowed to advertise. Window displays were rare, so we kept blinds across the window," he recalled.

Eighteen months later, Young bought the business. A fellow member of Shepton Round Table introduced him to a Barclays manager in Glastonbury, who came to look at the practice and offered him the finance.

"I was only 23 at the time and learning how to run a business, and fairly fresh out of university, so learning the ropes was an experience," Young said. "I've made a few mistakes along the way, and still do sometimes, but I've learnt that I can't go far wrong if I stick to my principles."

As large optical chains expanded, Young decided what he wanted his own practice to offer. He put time into explaining eye health to clients, as well as helping them choose glasses they felt comfortable wearing.

"I decided that I wanted to provide the highest quality eye care and eyewear whilst also educating my clients about how their visual system works."

Equipment has changed considerably since then. Young says his practice had the first camera in the area for photographing the back of the eye. It later invested in optical coherence tomography equipment, which produces detailed scans, as well as other equipment for measuring eye pressure more comfortably than the air puff machine and treating dry eye.

Each new piece of equipment has felt like a milestone to him. So did the decision in 2022 for Christopher Young Opticians to become a private practice. Young said it was a difficult step, but one he took because he wanted to allow more time for appointments.

There have been awards along the way, including recognition for customer service in Somerset and nationally. Young still remembers telling his father about the Somerset award.

"I will never forget the pride in my father's voice when I told him we had won the Somerset Business award for customer service. Unfortunately, he died before we won the National Award."

For the Shepton Mallet Nub News sponsor, the anniversary is also a chance to thank the people behind the business. Young credits Sue Voisey with helping him get started and remembers the energy, business sense and shared humour Mary Bailey brought to the practice. His current team is led by Tracy, whom he says helps him see the lighter side when work gets tough.

His wife, Rosenn, has helped shape the practice as it looks today. She creates the window displays every five or six weeks — a pleasing change for a shop that once kept its blinds drawn.

"None of what I have achieved could have been done alone. I have been extremely lucky to have worked with some amazing people," Young said.

After 40 years, he remains fond of the town where it all began.

"I count myself very lucky that I have been able to spend forty years working in a much underrated town with wonderful people."

• The practice is also marking its anniversary with an offer running until 31 October 2026. Customers buying two complete pairs of glasses will receive the lenses in their second pair free, with potential savings of between £150 and £800 depending on their choice of lenses. Both pairs must include frames and lenses. The free lenses can match the value and quality of those in the first pair, although where different-priced lenses are chosen, the lower-priced set will be free. Further details are available on the practice's anniversary offer page, and customers can book an appointment online.