Hunters snaps up Southern real estate network

Listed real estate business Hunters has acquired a 15-branch estate agency network in the South West.

The acquisition brings branch numbers at the York-based estate agency to more than 200.

Besley Hill, the company being acquired by Hunters, is based around Bristol and Gloucestershire.

It has offices in Stroud, Bedminster, Easton and Kingswood and its branches are franchised, complementing Hunters’ business model.

Glynis Frew, chief executive of Hunters Property Plc, said: “Becoming the UK’s favourite estate agent is our primary objective and increasing our presence across the country through good quality businesses is vital to achieving this.

“We are delighted to welcome the Besley Hill group of branches to Hunters as we share an ambition to grow our businesses by delivering first class customer service. The locality of the branches fit perfectly within our national expansion plans and gives us a significant platform in the South West property market”.

Adam Offer, managing director of Besley Hill, said: “Hunters’ national reach and reputation, combined with its strong focus on local ownership and local knowledge through its franchise model, is very exciting for us and represents great opportunities for the future.”

Adam Offer and Alli Firks-Matthews, Finance Director, have agreed to sign up their three offices to new franchise agreements with Hunters as part of the deal. Adam and Alli will continue to be involved in the day to day running of the business.

Hunters opened its first office in York in 1992 and its first franchising branch in 2006.