Big growth in lettings business for Hunters' franchisees

Hunters has reported 58% growth in its franchised lettings business over the past 12 months as more of its franchisees move into the sector.
 
It says the growth has been achieved by a renewed focus within the network and by helping offices previously inexperienced in lettings through training and the use of what Hunters says is “advanced” software.

Leeds was the strongest performing lettings office in the nationwide network, turning over £600,000 in the last financial year. Other top performing areas include London, Manchester and Middlesbrough.
 
Glynis Frew, director of lettings at Hunters, said: “This impressive growth over the last year is a testament to the quality of our in-house training academy.

“By following our advice and using our effective marketing techniques, franchisees are finding that they can take advantage of the current strong lettings market in the UK, boost their market share and markedly increase their profitability.”
 
Gerri More, director of Hunters in Leicester, said: “The training sessions at the Hunters training academy have proved invaluable. In the past two years, our income from lettings has grown by 400%, and our business plan for 2014 is to increase our lettings by a further 50%. It’s become such a vital part of our business.”
 
Paul Higgins-Drysdale, a Hunters ‘Personal Agent’ in Chichester, said: “Since I joined Hunters at the start of 2013, my lettings portfolio has grown and now accounts for a third of my business.

“We are now firmly established as one of Chichester’s premier letting agents, which is a fantastic achievement considering no one had heard of Hunters in Chichester six months ago.”

In the past few months Hunters have opened franchised businesses in Wigston, Leicester; Stoneygate, Leicester; Worsley, Manchester; Hounslow; Carshalton; Bishops Stortford; and Wokingham. All are branches apart Wigston which is a Personal Agent franchise.

Offices about to open are in Exeter, Knightsbridge, Forest Hill (London), Feltham and Burnley.