Strong Performance

Estate agency franchise Hunters bucked the market in 2016

Hunters, one of the country’s leading estate agency and franchise businesses, expanded rapidly during 2016.

Despite uncertainty in the UK housing market, the group opened 30 new branches in a number of regions for the third consecutive year, while reporting impressive trading updates throughout 2016.

National network

Hunters’ offices opened their doors in counties including Greater London, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Cheshire, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire and Lincolnshire.

With nearly 94 per cent of the group franchised, numerous independent agents are taking advantage of the benefits of being part of a national network.

Training for new and existing staff was also bolstered during 2016, which saw the introduction of the new Hunters National Qualification, a training scheme endorsed by both the National Association of Estate Agents and the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

Glynis Frew, chief executive of Hunters Property plc, says: “Becoming the UK’s favourite estate agent is our primary objective and growing the size of the network is vital to achieving this.

“We also understand that we need helpful and well trained staff. We invested the equivalent of £500,000 in training throughout 2016, demonstrating our commitment to our staff, customers and franchise partners.

“The last quarter of 2016 was a busy time for Hunters Franchising - we have gained many new franchisees and expect this to continue into 2017. 

“The group already has a number of branch openings scheduled for Q1 this year and the board expects significant further network expansion throughout 2017.”

Hunters’ expansion has already started in 2017 with the launch of Hunters Brixton.

The new branch complements the brand’s presence in south London, with branches already open in Camberwell, Forest Hill, Surrey Quays and Catford, to name a few.

Key regions

Hunters, which opened its first office in York in 1992 and its first franchised branch in 2006, has a network of over 180 branches nationwide, with offices in a number of key regions across the UK, including London, Oxford, Norwich, Middlesbrough, and Manchester.

Its services cover residential sales, lettings, buy-to-let and investment, residential block management, land and new homes, franchising and other property related services.