Major agency rebrand as rental demand predicted to boom

One prominent part of the Lomond agency empire is rebranding to fall in line with a larger higher-profile brand under the same ownership.

The Stonehouse brand, part of Lomond, is well known without one part of Scotland and has been in the lettings sector since 1994; more recently it entered sales as well. 

But now it’s to be rebranded as part of DJ Alexander Ltd - this is another part of Lomond, but is also the largest estate and letting agents in Scotland. It’s been operating for just over 40 years and manages over 10,000 properties with around 200 people on staff. 

Coinciding with the rebrand it is opening a new office in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, in anticipation of an influx of people to the area to work on the Acorn project three miles outside the town. 

Acorn CCS, located near the St Fergus oil terminal, and Viking CCS on Humberside will be carbon capture hubs and are part of a £1 billion Westminster government investment which will create an estimated 21,000 jobs by 2030.

Aileen Merchant, head of DJ Alexander’s offices in Aberdeenshire, says: “The new Peterhead office is an excellent opportunity to provide properties for the anticipated arrival of thousands of highly skilled workers into the area. We believe that the Acorn project will attract people from across the UK many of whom will require rental properties.

“The rental market in the north-east has been booming for several years and I believe that with the uptick in activity in the oil and gas industry this will continue for many years to come. After years of uncertainty over the future of the oil and gas industry Aberdeen and the surrounding areas now see a strong future for the area as projects like Acorn and the development of the Rosebank oilfield will guarantee work for the next decade.”

David Alexander, chief executive of DJ Alexander Ltd, adds: “Our offices in Aberdeen and the surrounding area have been providing an excellent service for years and our new opening in Peterhead is an indication of our commitment to the area now and in the future. Aileen and her team have the expertise and the determination to ensure that this influx of workers at the Acorn project will find good quality homes. We see this expansion as an ideal opportunity to serve the communities in Aberdeen and the north-east and we look forward to further growth in the future.”