Acquisition leads agent outside county

Nock Deighton has taken over Farlow Estates, which has offices in Cleobury Mortimer and Kidderminster, adding to its existing portfolio which includes branches in Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Telford.

Directors said they were delighted to have moved into the new territories, with firm plans to grow the sales and lettings services in each area. Nock Deighton now employs more than 50 people.

Katie Key, manager at the new office in Cleobury Mortimer's High Street, said she was feeling positive for the future.

"Nock Deighton has a fantastic reputation so our existing clients who we manage properties for have been more than happy with the change," she said.

"The company has almost 200 years of experience of letting, buying and selling houses in Shropshire so we are looking forward to embracing that here in Cleobury Mortimer. There is a strong property market here because the town is doing so well.

"There are very few empty shops and it's a thriving market town. The schools are very popular, which is a big draw for families, and the recent new development at Cleobury Park is helping to push things along too, so it's a great place to buy and sell property."

Meanwhile, Erica Hinwood will run the new office in Kidderminster's Coventry Street, which is expanding to offer sales as well as lettings.

She said: "Farlow Estates was purely a lettings agency in Kidderminster, but Nock Deighton is well established in lettings and sales so we are keen to embrace that.

"It's exciting to be launching our sales services in Kidderminster because the town has a really buoyant property market and we are confident we will be a valuable addition to the estate agent community.

"We are expecting a really busy year and are looking forward to it immensely."

Established in 1831, Nock Deighton is one of Shropshire's oldest firms of estate agents, letting agents, chartered surveyors and auctioneers.

As well as a head office in Bridgnorth, the firm has offices dotted around Shropshire, but before this move had no presence outside the county. As well as its residential element, the company has a livestock auction market in Bridgnorth.