Hybrid estate agent who works from home takes over high street competitor
In an unusual move that may point to the future of the industry, Ewemove franchisee Chris Walthall has taken over a Martin & Co high street branch.
A glimpse of the industry’s future has been revealed after a Staffordshire estate agent who works from home with his two sons today announced he has bought a high street competitor.
Chris Walthall (pictured, above), who set up a Ewemove franchise covering Leek and Hanley in Staffordshire four years ago, runs it with his son and fellow director Dan as well as another son, Conor.
“I’ve operated the business from my home since 2014 and have a dedicated office space where I can have clients round and focus on my day-to-day work,” he says.
The trio’s business, which Ewemove gathers together with other franchisees to create ‘Ewemove Staffordshire’ on Rightmove, offers both a sales and lettings service and, Ewemove claims, is now one of its most successful branches.
Chris, like an increasing number of franchisees across the industry, had no experience of sales or lettings before acquiring the franchise, having previously been a salesperson in other sectors.
But, although his family’s business is based from home, Chris has now bought a high street branch in Biddulph, to the north of Hanley, previously operated by a franchisee from Ewemove’s parent company Martin & Co (pictured, above).
Its former owners will be keeping a close eye on the now Ewemove branded branch, as they’re setting a financial services agency next door.
Two staff from the former Martin & Co branch will be moving over to Ewemove, taking its national headcount to over 200 people.
“As soon as I became aware of EweMove and learnt about its ethical approach to estate agency, providing customers with a personal and digitally-pioneering service combined, it was a no-brainer for me to join the flock,” says Chris.
I have a wonderful relationship with Martin & Co Biddulph’s former owners, and am delighted to be opening up the EweMove branch to service the Biddulph and Kidsgrove areas.”
Chris’s business also recently also won two gongs recently at Ewemove’s annual awards bash including a prize for customer service and being crowned ‘Franchisee of the Year’.
Read more about Ewemove.
