Takeover frenzy continues: Connells acquires another agency

Connells Group, which is of course acquiring Countrywide, has announced it's snapped up another agency - albeit a much smaller one.

It has bought Derbyshire-based Hall & Benson, which has five branches in Alfreton, Allestree, Belper, Heanor and Spondon.

Hall & Benson offers sales, lettings, mortgages, survey and valuation, and land and new homes services, and will continue to operate under its local name. John Hall and Mark Benson, who founded the firm back in 1993, will stay in place to help in the transition process, and approximately 35 staff will be retained. 

“It’s a business that we have long since admired and the acquisition forms just part of our growth strategy within Derbyshire” says David Plumtree, Connells Group estate agency chief executive. 

“It allows us to extend our presence in the local and wider market, and signals our ongoing commitment to high street estate agency and the continual development of our business” adds Plumtree.

Mark Benson, director at Hall & Benson, comments: “After building the business and team of Hall & Benson over the last 28 years, we were pleased to be approached by Connells, and ultimately to pass the responsibility for maintaining the service and success our clients have come to expect to a company we trust.”

This is just the latest takeover in recent weeks; Connells Group has of course bought Countrywide, while The Property Franchise Group is in the final lap of its acquisition of Hunters; earlier this week the Leaders Romans Group snapped up 13-branch independent Gibbs Gillespie for an undisclosed sum. It's also been confirmed that Foxtons has bought Douglas & Gordon in London.