GIBBINS Richards, the popular estate and lettings agency with a trio of branches - in Taunton, Bridgwater and Wellington, has expanded its lettings division with the acquisition of The Bridgwater Letting Agency.

Since 1992, The Bridgwater Letting Agency has been very successfully run by well-known local lady, Margaret Shuttleworth, who founded the business. Margaret was looking to retire, and Gibbins Richards recognised the amazing opportunity to expand its lettings division. The wheels were put in motion and Gibbins Richards became the legal owner of the agency in October.

As a result, the portfolios have merged and Gibbins Richards now manages a combined total of more than 200 rental properties in the Bridgwater area alone, in addition to its already existing portfolio of properties in and around Taunton and Wellington.

Simon Evans, director of Gibbins Richards, says: “We have always respected Margaret for her efforts over the years in gaining a strong reputation in Bridgwater, and we saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. We are also delighted to have retained the services of Sandra Smith, who has worked at the Bridgwater Letting Agency for many years. Sandra has joined our team in our Bridgwater branch and is settling in well.”

Mark Gibbins, director, continued: “We aspire for further growth at Gibbins Richards over the next few months and years, and we feel confident that the current economic situation in our core area will see an increase in rental demand in the future. For us, the rental sector is just as important as sales, especially now the average age of the first-time buyer is over 35. Our staff have been truly magnificent in the transfer of the business and have worked long hours to ensure that our new clients, both landlords and tenants, are happy with the transfer of the business and the services we provide.”

Marc Richards, director, added: “We are also delighted to have secured the services of Zoe Duncan in our lettings division. We obviously needed to bolster our team to continue to provide exceptional service to our new and existing bank of clients, and Zoe and Sandra give us the skill set to improve on this further.”

Established in 1991, Gibbins Richards provides a full range of professional property services for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants. Its team of more than 30 staff members includes eight dedicated to lettings, all with stacks of experience and an in-depth working knowledge of the property market in the Mid Somerset area.

For more information, a market valuation or for honest advice on any property-related matter, pop into any of the prominent Gibbins Richards’ High Street offices in Taunton, Bridgwater and Wellington, or call the team on 01823 325250. To browse property for sale or to let, in Taunton, Bridgwater and Wellington or anywhere across the South West, visit www.gibbinsrichards.co.uk