From Sutton to Shenstone: How Your Feedback Inspired Our Lichfield Expansion!
There is no doubt that Sutton Medical Centre is a brilliant site for the services of Steven Hale Hearing - it’s important to us to be at the heart of the community we serve, and it’s a joy to work there.
However, owing to your fabulous feedback, and our investment in staff development, there came a point a couple of years ago when we had to think about whether or not to take on a new site, and where best that would be. So, many meetings were held, and much head scratching done until suddenly, we realised, we were getting lots of customers from the Lichfield area. We studied our lists, our clients, our database, our marketing – and then finally the map! – and the realisation dawned upon us that Shenstone would be the obvious choice of location for us to grow into.
That was the easy part!
As we – the team of Steven, Niki, Nick and Emma – talked more and more about it, and excitement grew for the new opportunity, we began to dream about creating a bespoke, state-of-the-art clinic from a blank canvas. Naturally, we knew that we would never find such a property – ‘rare as hen’s teeth’ was the phrase that came up more than once! - but still, dreams are free, eh? Undeterred, Steven and Niki viewed many sites that had some potential, and much thought was given to their development, but nothing seemed to quite hit the mark. Then, one day, kerpow! The site of the old bank in Shenstone came to our attention! As soon as we saw it, we knew that it was perfect. A great structure at the heart of the town, with re-enforced walls, high street access, other services nearby, easy road access and even parking to the rear, this was the one we had been waiting for. Fast forward two years, and we celebrated our official opening in September.
Our aim, which we are certain we have achieved, was to use the bank’s blank canvas and create the ‘dream’ hearing health centre. Whilst our imaginations ran wild at times with the determination to maintain the essence of strength and security that the building naturally created, no-one was able to come up with a viable ‘re-use’ of the cashpoint facility, so sadly that had to go in the end! However, we have kept The Vault at the back which has been renovated to become the best sound testing booth we have ever known – and quite the envy of many in our audiological circles!
The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice that we have preserved some artefacts from the days when the building was used as a bank. For example, our coffee table in reception is made from the bullet-proof, re-enforced glass that was used as a window, the cores which were drilled out to allow ventilation & services into the vault (4 core holes were drilled taking the professional core drilling company 1 and a half days to drill the “hard as granite - steel reinforced walls”) and the doorstops are pretty unique too!
Whilst our work and passion will continue in The Royal Borough of Sutton Coldfield, the excitement we feel as a team to be able to provide a new, innovative and dynamic clinic is unsurpassed. We remain committed to best serving our clients where they need us and are dedicated to providing the most satisfying – ultimate – experience if we possibly can.
The site in Shenstone provides the perfect environment for safe, painless ear wax removal in Lichfield, hearing testing and assessments, tinnitus management advice and on-going hearing aid service provision.
We look forward to sharing it with you soon.