Yorkshire estate agency changes hands
A WELL known Yorkshire estate agents has changed hands for an undisclosed sum.
Smiles estate and letting agents in York has been sold by local businesswomen Denise Howard OBE and Joanna Johnson and will be operated as a Whitegates franchise by Ian Gibson and Maxine Tapper.
Operating from a city centre shop on St Saviour’s Place, Smiles has a diverse lettings portfolio and manages and markets a number of holiday properties in York as well as selling property in and around the city.
Whitegates-York managing director Ian Gibson said: “Smiles is exactly the kind of ethical, customer focussed business we have been looking for and we are excited to have the opportunity to build on Denise and Joanna’s track record. We have ambitious plans with Whitegates who are very pleased to be back in York after 20 years. And being part of Legal & General gives both landlord, investor and tenants unrivalled financial peace of mind.”
Denise Howard still has businesses in the city, and is freeing up time to focus on continuing the growth of Inceil, the conservatory insulation business she heads up with husband and business partner John.
“Smiles is a great business which Joanna and I have developed through determined hard work over the last few years, but Inceil is growing so fast I need to give it my full attention,” said Denise.
“Inceil is busy working for customers throughout the UK on installing our conservatory insulation system so Joanna is coming into Inceil as office manager whilst I concentrate on marketing and business development.”
Whitegates York will be revamping the shop premises next week before re-launching to customers.
