A Lincolnshire estate agent has completed its second takeover in two years with the acquisition of a competitor.

The south Lincolnshire agents have merged operations after Longstaff bought Eckfords of Bourne.

Last year, Longstaff took over Escritt Barrell Golding to establish a stronger position in agricultural and commercial sectors in the Grantham district.

Longstaff already has existing offices in Spalding, Bourne and Grantham.

Rex and Angela Eckford (main picture with Longstaff partner Kit Longstaff) established the firm in the early 1990s, and, while Rex has retired, Angela is now residential sales manager for the town branch.

Reap benefits

Robbie Longstaff, a partner with Longstaff, says: “This is exciting news for Longstaff as a business. We are confident that our acquisition of Eckfords – and merger of their team into our existing residential sales and lettings team – will bring even greater strength and experience from which our clients will reap the benefits.”

Angela Eckford told The Neg: “We are delighted because we have known Longstaff for a long time. We are glad that we have been able to sell to a local company.”

This is exciting news for Longstaff as a business.”

The Eckfords branded office will continue to operate from its existing site in West Street, while the Longstaff branch remains open in the premises in Abbey Road.

Most residential sales are likely to be dealt with by Eckfords, but both offices will continue to be involved in residential letting and property management.

In 2010, Longstaff purchased the residential lettings and management business of Lyalls Lettings in Bourne. Lyalls then merged with the company’s existing Bourne office, which had opened in 2006.

The company has been established for more than 200 years.