Independent Plymouth-based lettings agency Barton Wykes has been bought by the local Your Move franchisee Edward Rose Property Group (ERPG) under the franchise group’s Assisted Acquisitions Programme, says boss David Vertannes (pictured).

Owners Max and Kate Strelling are to retire and manager Jo Drake will be staying on and moving to the Your Move Plymouth branch, so current landlords and tenants will have a ‘seamless transition’.

The Strellings commented: “We’re excited and ready for our retirement journey and feel content knowing our landlords are in the expert hands of Jo and the Your Move Plymouth team.

Working with David and Your Move Franchising on the acquisition has been a really smooth process.”

“Working with David and Your Move Franchising on the acquisition has been a really smooth process, and we’re delighted to be selling to a business with the same core values – where customers sit at the heart of the organisation.”

Vertannes adds: “It’s exciting to be growing our lettings footprint in Plymouth, and we’re delighted to have Jo joining the Your Move Plymouth team – a young, dynamic team keen to serve the Plymouth lettings market.

“The team come with fresh ideas and a real passion for delivering outstanding customer service to landlords, which Barton Wykes landlords will now experience – there’s really no better way to expand than this acquisition.

“We’re also thrilled to be taking advantage of Your Move’s Assisted Acquisitions Programme, which creates the foundation to complete opportunities like this, supporting franchise partners (like myself) with everything from financial support to finding businesses to purchase, performing due diligence and offering assistance throughout the integration process and beyond.”

A powerful addition

Kate Ashley-Ives, Franchise Director at LSL, which owns Your Move, has been seeing the process through: “The Barton Wykes acquisition marks a powerful addition to the ERPG portfolio. A crucial part of Your Move’s Assisted Acquisitions Programme is to match like-minded businesses for a seamless transition and ensure it’s a prime opportunity for growth, so it’s great to see David working with our team again on his second acquisition.

“David previously worked with the team on the acquisition of Team 2 in Torquay, which has subsequently led to the successful opening of Your Move Torquay. We look forward to supporting a similar success with the Your Move Plymouth integration.”