Tributes pour in for late agent with 65 years at just one firm

Tributes are being paid to David Hall, a senior partner at an agency in the Midlands where he worked for a remarkable 65 years.

Hall started his career in 1954 when, as an articled clerk, he joined his father Raymond Hall at Doolittle & Dalley in Bridgnorth. He qualified as a valuer and surveyor in 1963 and remained actively involved in the business for the past 65 years.  

His colleague John Andrews, who worked with Hall since 1967, told the Shropshire Star newspaper that David recognised the growing trend towards home ownership in the 1960s and so moved the company towards residential house sales alongside the long-established property management part of the business.

"He introduced the D&D emblem, after which many other local companies adopted initials in their headings and he also revolutionised the presentation of the company by introducing the orange company colour which is still used today” says Andrews

"His inspiration and appetite for success and hard work was taking the company on a new journey. This resulted in the company growing and taking on additional staff to deal with the influx of business which included survey and valuation work, rating and property development.

"David loved hard work, and not satisfied with just having a growing estate agency, he also launched into property development, ran a building company and went into farming. In the late 70s and early 80s, David embarked upon further expansion into property management and short-term lettings.”

And he concludes: "Thanks to David’s leadership, Doolittle & Dalley is now one of the last remaining, privately owned firms of chartered surveyors trading for over 125 years."

David Hall’s funeral will be held in Kidderminster tomorrow afternoon.