Ace & Tate
About Ace & Tate
Ace & Tate is a Dutch eyewear brand founded in Amsterdam in 2013, known for making designer-quality glasses accessible and affordable. By cutting out traditional middlemen and designing frames in-house, they offer stylish prescription glasses with lenses included from around £98. With 17 stores across the UK — including 10 in London — Ace & Tate has become a go-to destination for fashion-conscious customers who want distinctive eyewear without the luxury price tag. Their stores are designed as welcoming, gallery-like spaces where trying on frames feels like a curated experience.
Ace & Tate was founded in Amsterdam in 2013 by Mark de Lange, who set out to disrupt the traditional optical industry by offering high-quality, design-led eyewear at a fraction of the price charged by established luxury brands. The premise was simple but powerful: by designing frames in-house, manufacturing directly with trusted factories, and selling through their own stores and website, Ace & Tate could cut out the layers of middlemen that inflate eyewear prices across the industry. The brand quickly gained a following in the Netherlands and Belgium, attracting customers who wanted stylish, well-made glasses without paying hundreds of pounds for a designer label.
Ace & Tate expanded rapidly across Europe throughout the mid-2010s, entering the UK market with its first London stores. The brand became known not just for its products but for its retail experience — stores are designed as bright, minimalist spaces with a gallery-like aesthetic, often located in trendy neighbourhoods alongside independent boutiques and cafés. This positioning, combined with strong social media marketing and collaborations with artists and designers, helped Ace & Tate build a distinctive identity that resonated with a younger, design-aware audience. The brand also invested in an online try-at-home service, allowing customers to order frames to try before committing.
Today, Ace & Tate operates 17 stores across the UK, with 10 in London and additional locations in Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Oxford. The brand positions itself as the accessible alternative to luxury eyewear — offering frames with prescription lenses from around £98, with no hidden costs for standard single-vision lenses. Ace & Tate has also made sustainability a core part of its identity, using recycled acetate and bio-based materials, and achieving B-Corp certification. While they do not offer NHS-funded eye tests, their private eye test service and all-in pricing model make them a compelling choice for customers who value design, transparency, and ethical production.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2013
- UK Stores
- 17
- Price Range
- From £98 (frames + lenses)
- NHS Eye Tests
- No
- Services Offered
- 4
- Locations Listed
- 8
- Avg. Eye Test
- 20-25 minutes
Book an eye test
Ace & Tate Eye Test Locations Across the UK
Find your nearest Ace & Tate and book an eye test. We list Ace & Tate locations in 7 regions across the United Kingdom.
London
South West
North West
Yorkshire and the Humber
Scotland
Ace & TateServices & Pricing
A full breakdown of eye care services available at Ace & Tate, including prices, duration, and NHS coverage information.
| Service | Description | Price | Duration | NHS Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye Test | A private eye examination carried out by a qualified optometrist at an Ace & Tate store. The test includes a thorough assessment of your vision and eye health, covering visual acuity, refraction, eye pressure, and an examination of the front and back of the eye. Results are used to provide an up-to-date prescription for glasses or contact lenses. | From £25 | 20-25 minutes | |
| Comprehensive Eye Test | A more in-depth eye examination that includes additional diagnostic checks beyond the standard test. This may include digital retinal imaging, extended health screening, and a more detailed discussion of your visual needs. Recommended for patients who want a thorough assessment or who have a family history of eye conditions. | From £50 | 30-35 minutes | |
| Contact Lens Fitting | An assessment and fitting for contact lenses, including corneal measurements, tear film evaluation, and a trial with your recommended lens type. Your optician will discuss options including daily disposables and monthly lenses, and advise on insertion, removal, and care. A follow-up appointment is included to check fit and comfort. | From £50 | 30-40 minutes | |
| Frame Styling Session | A complimentary one-to-one session with an Ace & Tate stylist to help you find frames that suit your face shape, skin tone, and personal style. The team will guide you through the collection, explain frame materials and lens options, and help you narrow down your choices. No appointment needed — just walk in. | Free | 15-20 minutes | |
| Glasses Adjustment | A complimentary service to adjust and tighten your Ace & Tate glasses for a perfect fit. Whether your frames have become loose, uneven, or uncomfortable, the in-store team can make adjustments on the spot. This service is available for all Ace & Tate frames and is free of charge, no appointment required. | Free | 10 minutes |
Eye Test
A private eye examination carried out by a qualified optometrist at an Ace & Tate store. The test includes a thorough assessment of your vision and eye health, covering visual acuity, refraction, eye pressure, and an examination of the front and back of the eye. Results are used to provide an up-to-date prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
Comprehensive Eye Test
A more in-depth eye examination that includes additional diagnostic checks beyond the standard test. This may include digital retinal imaging, extended health screening, and a more detailed discussion of your visual needs. Recommended for patients who want a thorough assessment or who have a family history of eye conditions.
Contact Lens Fitting
An assessment and fitting for contact lenses, including corneal measurements, tear film evaluation, and a trial with your recommended lens type. Your optician will discuss options including daily disposables and monthly lenses, and advise on insertion, removal, and care. A follow-up appointment is included to check fit and comfort.
Frame Styling Session
A complimentary one-to-one session with an Ace & Tate stylist to help you find frames that suit your face shape, skin tone, and personal style. The team will guide you through the collection, explain frame materials and lens options, and help you narrow down your choices. No appointment needed — just walk in.
Glasses Adjustment
A complimentary service to adjust and tighten your Ace & Tate glasses for a perfect fit. Whether your frames have become loose, uneven, or uncomfortable, the in-store team can make adjustments on the spot. This service is available for all Ace & Tate frames and is free of charge, no appointment required.
Ace & TatePros & Cons
An honest look at the advantages and disadvantages of choosing Ace & Tate for your eye care.
Advantages
- Transparent all-in pricing with frames and prescription lenses from £98 — no hidden extras
- Design-led, stylish frames created by an in-house team in Amsterdam
- Sustainable materials including recycled acetate, with B-Corp certification
- Trendy, welcoming stores with a gallery-like atmosphere and helpful stylists
Considerations
- Very limited UK coverage with only 17 stores, mostly concentrated in London
- No NHS-funded eye tests — all services are private
- No hearing care or clinical specialist services beyond standard eye care
How to Book an Eye Test at Ace & Tate
Follow these simple steps to book your next eye test with Ace & Tate.
Search for your nearest Ace & Tate store by entering your postcode on eyetest.co.uk
Find the nearest Ace & Tate location and check available services
Select the type of appointment you need — eye test, comprehensive test, or contact lens fitting
Choose your preferred date and time from the available slots
Enter your personal details to confirm your booking
Attend your appointment at the Ace & Tate store and browse frames before or after your test
Why Choose Ace & Tate?
Affordable designer-quality frames designed in-house in Amsterdam
Trendy, gallery-inspired store experiences in prime city locations
Transparent all-in pricing — frames with prescription lenses from £98
Commitment to sustainability with recycled acetate and B-Corp certification
Frequently Asked Questions About Ace & Tate
Common questions about eye tests, services, and booking at Ace & Tate.
How much are Ace & Tate glasses?
Ace & Tate offers prescription glasses starting from £98, which includes the frame and standard single-vision lenses — there are no hidden costs for basic prescriptions. Prices increase for more complex prescriptions, progressive (varifocal) lenses, and premium lens coatings such as blue-light filtering or extra-thin options. Sunglasses with prescription lenses start from a similar price point. The transparent pricing model means you know exactly what you are paying before you commit, with no surprise add-ons at the till.
Where are Ace & Tate stores in the UK?
Ace & Tate operates 17 stores across the UK. Ten of these are in London, spread across popular neighbourhoods including Soho, Shoreditch, Covent Garden, Notting Hill, and King's Cross. Outside London, you will find stores in Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Oxford. The stores are typically located in trendy, walkable areas alongside independent shops and cafés. If there is no store near you, Ace & Tate also offers a home try-on service where you can order up to four frames to try at home for free.
Do Ace & Tate offer NHS eye tests?
No, Ace & Tate does not offer NHS-funded eye tests. All eye tests at Ace & Tate are private, starting from £25 for a standard examination and from £50 for a comprehensive test. They do not participate in the NHS optical voucher scheme for glasses either. If you are looking for a free NHS eye test, you would need to visit an optician that participates in the NHS scheme, such as Boots Opticians or Specsavers. You can use eyetest.co.uk to compare NHS and private options near you.
Are Ace & Tate frames good quality?
Ace & Tate frames are designed in-house at their Amsterdam studio and manufactured using high-quality materials including Italian Mazzucchelli acetate, lightweight stainless steel, and increasingly, recycled and bio-based acetate. The brand puts significant emphasis on design and build quality, with frames that feel solid and well-finished. Hinges, nose pads, and temple tips are designed for comfort and durability. As a certified B-Corp, Ace & Tate also meets verified standards for social and environmental performance, which extends to their material sourcing and production processes.
Can I book an Ace & Tate eye test online?
Yes, you can book an eye test at your nearest Ace & Tate store through eyetest.co.uk. Simply enter your postcode, find the nearest location, and select an available appointment slot. You can also book directly through the Ace & Tate website or by contacting the store. Booking through eyetest.co.uk lets you compare availability and prices across multiple opticians in your area, making it easy to find the best option for your needs and schedule.
What makes Ace & Tate different from other opticians?
Ace & Tate operates on a direct-to-consumer model that cuts out the traditional middlemen in the eyewear industry — the brand designs its own frames, works directly with manufacturers, and sells through its own stores and website. This means they can offer designer-quality glasses at a significantly lower price than traditional opticians selling third-party designer labels. Their transparent pricing — frames with lenses from £98 — their design-first approach, sustainability commitments, and curated retail experience set them apart from both high-street chains and luxury boutiques.
Find a Ace & Tate Near You
Enter your postcode to check availability and book an eye test at your nearest Ace & Tate store.
Find a Ace & Tate Opticians Near YouVisit Ace & Tate directly: www.aceandtate.com/gb