Franchise group announces big expansion drive

Country Properties has opened its newest franchise operation and says it plans considerable further expansion.

The latest office is in Great Shelford on the outskirts of Cambridge. This brings the number of Country Properties offices to 22.

Ian Wilson, head of Country Properties, said: “The addition of a new office in such an important location marks the first significant expansion outside our traditional strongholds in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

“As we gradually move out of recession and the market starts to pick up over the next three to four years, we expect to see considerable expansion in the industry, as new entrants turn to franchising in general – and our proposition in particular – to deliver the strong branding and support they need from the start.”

The company was the first estate agency to be recognised by the British Franchise Association. However, expansion has hitherto been deliberately low key, Wilson admitted.

He said: “Our main focus to date has been on perfecting our underlying offering.

“Our strategy now is to gradually extend our sphere of operations into adjoining areas where there is already a significant degree of public and professional awareness, and where the level of support provided by the existing network, including our Baldock head office, can be deployed to best effect. Cambridge is a perfect case in point.”
 
The new franchise is owned and operated by the husband and wife partnership of Jeremy and Esther Crook. The team is completed by James Bishop, who has some 30 years’ experience in estate agency in and around Cambridge. Together, they handle both sales and lettings in the city and surrounding villages.

Meanwhile, Strutt & Parker has also announced the opening of a new office in Cambridge.