Hunters continues its pre-float expansion programme

Franchise brand Hunters, currently the sixth largest estate agency group in the UK, is opening two new branches on the Wirral as it continues to expand in the north west of England.

Richard Henderson, with around 30 years of experience in estate agency in the area, is the franchise owner of the new branches at Heswall and Moreton. The offices will cover sales and lettings.

Hunters now has 130 offices across the country, and its managing director - Kevin Hollinrake - is widely tipped to be successful in his bid to become MP at Thirsk, where he is standing as a Conservative in next month's general election.

Last month Hunters revealed that ex-Countrywide veteran Harry Hill would be the group's new chief executive officer during a period when it prepares to float; there is no date for its proposed Initial Public Offering of shares to investors, staff and partners.

Hunters is seeking a reported £2.5m to expand its network still further. In 2014 alone it opened 37 branches and increased overall income by about 40 per cent.

Andy Bushell, sales director at Hunters Property Group, says the latest openings consolidate Hunters' position as "the UK's fastest growing independent estate agency network." He says the group is looking for further expansion opportunities in the near future.