While there’s enormous ‘noise’ around ‘online-only’ and hybrid agents such as Hatched and Purplebricks, Countrywide has been quietly rolling out its online activity across swathes of the UK.

Countrywide’s digital ‘hybrid’ rollout is significant, including a four-phase launch that now covers 25 per cent of its business, and 200 branches.

After trials with three brands in June last year – Austin & Wyatt in the SW, Frank Innes in the East Midlands and Spencers in Leicestershire – it introduced the offering to Carsons in Hampshire, Miller Countrywide in Cornwall and Devon and Fulfords in Somerset.

In January this year it also added its hybrid offering to Entwistle Green in Liverpool and Lancashire and says that it has shown “the most positive results to date.” A launch then followed at Bridgfords, the largest brand to do so thus far.

Countrywide’s hybrid model charges a £695 to £995 fee for a Purplebricks-style service – vendors have to conduct their own viewings and sale negotiations.

Results from its original trial brands from earlier in 2016 reveal that having a ‘hybrid’ option drove 11 per cent more valuations, 18 per cent more instructions and 9 per cent more sales, all without impacting fee levels, the company says.

The platform that drives the offering across the different brands has so registered 2,700 online accounts and 1,000 valuations booked online.

“The launch of our digital sales pilot in summer 2016 surpassed our ambitions and we have now accelerated the roll-out to more than 25 per cent of our network,” says Chief Executive Alison Platt.