Hamptons International kicks off celebrations for 150 years in business

Hamptons International has revealed extensive plans to celebrate its 150th year in business during 2019 including an extra day’s holiday for all its 1,000+ staff, a fleet of branded London black cabs, plans to raise £150,000 this year for Cancer Research UK and the introduction of a ‘green plan’ for the business. Also, the 150th property to be sold or let this year will be commission-free for the client involved and all its branches now have ‘150 years’ window stickers (see above). Hamptons International was established in 1869 by George Hampton at an office on Cockspur Street in Pall Mall, central London although his original business, a furniture shop, was started up in 1830 in North London. The property business was sparked into life employing eight staff when the furniture business and all its records burned down. The firm endured several challenges including being bombed out of its premises during WWII but by the mid-1930s was successful enough to be separated off from the parent company, and during the 1980s was bought by Abaco Investments for £15 million and then sold to Bristol & West building society in 1990. Challenges A less happy period ensued for the company during which…