Historic agency aims to more than double franchise network in next five years

Historic agency brand Humberts is looking to have between 20 and 30 offices over the next five years as it marks its 180-year anniversary.

Humberts, which has existed since 1845, was taken out of administration in January 2020 having been bought by a consortium of its franchise owners.

Its head of franchising, Tim Stephens, who is based at Humberts Norwich, has set out the brand plans to grow from its current nine branches.

An update earlier this week revealed Humberts would like to open six more franchises over the next year and are particularly focused on West Sussex, Surrey, Wiltshire, North or South Cotswolds, Dorset and east Midlands. 

But Stephens told Estate Agent Today of aspirations to go further.

“Ideally we are looking at six more offices in the next year or so and to build the numbers back up to the good old days of the 1980s, whether that will be a reality, I don’t know.

“We have a strong name and reputation.

“It would be nice to get to 20 to 30 offices in the next five years.”
 

Stephens said Humberts is already in discussion with agents from other franchises looking to rebrand, who he said may be attracted to the established name.

He said: “We have a strong name, we have had a reputation for marketing interesting properties and it is that market we particularly consider ourselves strong in.

“Becoming a Humberts franchisee will suit aspiring individuals who wish to run their own business or an existing business looking to increase their market share with more interesting properties.

“There is never an absolute ideal time to enter agency but there is huge scope now and it is a good time for anybody prepared to graft and work.

“There is still a shortage of properties and someone prepared to be proactive can succeed.”