Estate Agency Franchise Group launches 19 branch network

Two established independent estate agency brands have joined forces to create the Estate Agency Franchise Group and are looking to expand.

The network currently has 19 branches across five counties and says it aims to become the UK’s largest 'truly independent property franchise group'.

The 19 branches - operating under the brands of Urban & Rural and Enfields - are located in Hampshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset and West Yorkshire.

Estate Agency Franchise Group says it is looking to expand in several counties, including Wiltshire, West Sussex and Oxfordshire.

One of the network's directors, Mark O'Shea, says that the franchise group has a number of further openings planned this year and in to 2018.

"We have developed a number of routes to fund and assist the right candidates for new branches and to support existing businesses that would benefit from joining our group," he says.

"It is not simply new branch openings that we are keen to attract, we have a model that existing estate agency businesses will be keen to explore if they feel that they have a genuine requirement to add investment and improved technology, support and income streams."

O'Shea says that his organisation is also looking to speak to agents who have left the industry and are looking for a 'credible' route back to the high street.

Another director, Simon Thurston, adds: “We truly believe that our model is a refreshing alternative."

He says that the network's business development team will be proactively marketing the group's offering and speaking to organisations positioned in targeted locations over the coming months.