Lettings agency merges with franchise outlet to create expanded business
West Midland residential sales and lettings agency Lawsons has merged with its franchise outlet, Concentric, to create an expanded business.
The agency is hoping the broadening of its service base – both online and offline – will see it secure more customers.
Established in 1990, Lawsons was set up to serve the landlord community in the West Midlands. In the intervening 27 years, the agency has helped investors buy more than 450 properties, let over 6,000 homes, assisted landlords with the sale of their properties and handled the refurbishment of in excess of 250 properties.
Based on Lawsons’ business model, owner Sally Lawson opened national lettings franchise Concentric in 2010.
The two businesses have now merged under Concentric’s name, based at the existing Concentric branch in High Street, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton.
Lawsons has safeguarded jobs by offering its existing employees the opportunity to move across to the Concentric branch.
In addition to expanded services, the merger has created a larger team with a more cohesive structure.
In addition to fronting the new agency, the merger will also see Sally Lawson take on the role of President of ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents).
She said: “We are excited about the merger, particularly at a time when we are having to rise to the challenge of competition from online agents moving into the market.
“It is important to continue to have a strong foothold on the ground, and we recognise that one of the most crucial things for our landlords and tenants is personal interaction.”
The newly-formed branch is being headed by Senior Branch Manager, Dawn Bennett.
Concentric Sales & Lettings has letting agents in Wolverhampton, Birmingham South and Coventry. Outside the Midlands, it has branches in Plymouth, Bolton, Liverpool, Newcastle and North Tyneside, with a further two new branches opening soon in Hinckley and Crewe.
