A 'TRUSTED' family firm in Antrobus which has been keeping birdwatchers happy for 40 years is spreading its own wings and branching out.

Focalpoint Optics, based at Sevenaoks Sawmill, supplies specialist binoculars, telescopes, and photography equipment to its loyal nature-loving customer base all over the UK.

The firm saw a dynamic change of leadership in November 2022, when founder Paul Longley's son, Paul ‘Titch’ Longley Jr, took over as marketing director.

A passionate outdoorsman and nature watcher, Paul recently decided to diversity the business by branching out into other markets.

From now on, under the brand Focalpoint Outdoors, it will be suppling not just optics, but a full range of high-quality kit, including clothing, rucksacks, and camping equipment to clients who love spending their time in the great outdoors.

Northwich Guardian: Paul says he's seen a spike in interest in outdoor equipment in recent yearsPaul says he's seen a spike in interest in outdoor equipment in recent years (Image: Paul Longley)

Good outdoor equipment certainly doesn’t come cheap, but Paul hopes Focalpoint’s reputation for providing top-quality products and excellent service will give new and existing customers the confidence to come to him for all their outdoor needs.

Paul said: “As a business, we’ve definitely seen a real spike in interest in the outdoors generally over the last few years.

“We've already got a loyal customer base who seem to trust us, and they can now come to us for the full range of technical gear for whatever it is they love to do outdoors.

“We’ve got a whole new website for this side of the business, focalpointoutdoors.com, which means we can supply to customers all over the UK.

“I love hiking and mountain biking as well as birdwatching, and I especially love wild camping. These activities have a real affinity with what we do already, so it seemed like a very natural move.

“A lot of our bird and wildlife customers are already wearing quality outdoor gear to keep them warm and dry.  We’ve just created a one-stop-shop for everything outdoors and nature."

Focalpoint Outdoors stock quality brands including Montane, Exbed, MSR, Vango, Therm-A-Rest, and Helinox.

Paul added: “We have some really great stuff for wild campers. The Helinox Zero chairs we have now weigh just 700 grams. They fold down to almost nothing.

“When you set up camping after walking and carrying you kit all day, it’s really nice to have somewhere to sit which isn’t the ground.”