The Robinson Jackson Group - Where it all began

The Robinson Jackson Group

The

journey so far...

Proud Past.

Exciting Future.

Welcome

to The Robinson Jackson Group

We’re thrilled you have joined our team and invite

In the following pages, you will discover how our

you to dive into a nostalgic journey that follows

company constantly evolves and expands under

our remarkable 50-year history.

the guidance of our visionary co-founders Alan

Our success is all thanks to compassionate, discerning, and dedicated individuals like you.

Who bring their A-game every day to deliver out-of-this-world results for customers who rave about their moving experiences.

The RJ Group incorporates two household names with five-star reputations. Robinson Jackson and Robinson Michael & Jackson; both offer award-winning sales, lettings, mortgage and legal services from offices in London and Kent.

1962

J. H. JACKSON & CO E S TAT E AG E N T S

1967

1993

MICHAEL E S TAT E AG E N C Y PA R T N E R S H I P S

2006

2011

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Robinson and Peter Jackson who work alongside our highly experienced Owner Partners. Their wealth of estate agency expertise has shaped countless careers and made our company a part of so many people’s lives.

As you begin your journey with us, remember you’re surrounded by 200 talented individuals who will help you achieve your career success.

Welcome to a future filled with possibility, fulfilment, and a lot of fun!

Out of this world results delivered by down to earth people...

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The

Big

Interview

4

Introducing Peter Jackson and Alan Robinson Co-Founders of the Robinson Jackson Group…

was sitting at my new desk at Couchman’s Estate Agents in Blackfen, aged just 16, answering the phones.

What are your fondest memories of your first EA experiences?

AR: My boss was a great inspiration; he had a way of getting the most out of staff. I know our staff will claim it’s a competitive market in the 2020s but it’s nothing compared to the way local agents (in the 70s & 80s) used to trip each other up to win a listing or make a sale. You were lucky if you got a 1-week sole agency, so sales had to be made quickly.

We’d run back to the office, open the hot box

What was your first job?

Peter Jackson: My father worked in property sales most of his life. So, following in his footsteps at 17, I applied for a job as a trainee

and have 3 or 4 viewings for that evening.

If you put your guard down for 5 minutes, another agent would swipe your sale.

Later you’d all be in the pub having a beer together.

negotiator for a commercial estate agent

PJ: In my early days I was answering the

in Central London. I was mostly dealing

phones, producing the property details, a

with the landlords of shops and offices who

general gofer. After a few months, I was given

rented them to local businesses. Those early

the keys to the company Mini and suddenly

years helped me understand how landlords

the world opened up in front of me. Each

and councils tick; a massive advantage

day, when applicants arrived, I was told by

when years later I was opening my own new

the manager to take them to view properties

premises.

and not to come back until I had sold them

Alan Robinson: I was the youngest of 6 children, with 20 years between me and my eldest brother – make of that what you will.

My Dad was an electrician on the railways and grafted all his life. When we left school he didn’t mince his words, we were to find work immediately. I took the train to London, dressed in a 3-piece suit (I’d borrowed) and started my first job as a trainee plumber. The foreman just laughed and passed me a set of overalls and a wrench. By lunchtime, I was back home in Northumberland Heath.

something. If a competitor’s board went up, I’d knock on the door pretending to be lost.

Of course, I wasn’t, I was angling to win the business and would soon be sharing tea and cake with the owners.

You were young Peter when you started your own business, how did it start?

PJ: In 1962, aged 18, my father and I discussed whether, if he left his present company, we could open our own residential estate agency.

I dreaded a rollicking from my Dad, but he

At the time I was living at home and he was

simply told me to get out the next day and

aged about 50 and a director of a local estate

find something I did want to do. By 10am I

agent in the Bexley Borough, called Malcolm

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Sanderson Estates. He felt we could make it a big success, so we hatched a plan.

Initially, I was to work at his current company based in Blackfen, as an introduction to residential sales. I’d then leave to drum up clients for our new agency. It was 24/7; days were spent thumbing through the property classifieds in the local paper and in the evenings, I knocked on doors offering our services. Nobody had heard of us, so I used my charm to win people over. Forget any social life, and I think I got paid £5 a week.

Having started to win the public over how did the business grow?

PJ: The company was called J.H. Jackson & Co – ‘Kent’s Foremost Estate Agents’ and it started life in a spare bedroom at my parent’s house. We couldn’t afford an office, but we had a little money to advertise properties in the papers and I manned the phone 7 days a week. My father eventually entrusted me to conduct accompanied viewings, so one of us would meet buyers at various train stations and take them to several properties.

Assuming I had done my job properly and

You opened your first office in Albany Park, Sidcup. Was it an instant success?

PJ: After a year we opened our first office in Albany Park and in our first month, we sold 19 properties with an average sale price of £3,000. Within 18 months, we opened the 2nd office in Barnehurst and then a year later, we heard a Dartford agent, Griggs & Co, was up for sale. It had the best location, on the corner, right opposite Station Approach so we stretched ourselves and snapped it up. Later it became our head office where Jacky Robinson (before she met Alan) took a job in our mailing department. During this period, we’d also acquired Pilley & Talbot in Gravesend. So, we had 4 offices in just a few years.

Then in walks Alan Robinson, was there instant chemistry?

AR: Peter always conveniently forgets that he threw me out of my first interview because my hair was too long! It was quickly cut, and 3 months later, I joined him and his father in 1969.

they wanted to buy, I would take them back to my parent’s home. My mother would

PJ: Did I throw you out, surely not? Alan was

provide tea and biscuits, whilst my father

working for our biggest competitor; he was

completed the mortgage application form

pretty experienced, and he started at the 5th

and hand-wrote all the letters to the vendor

office we’d just opened in Welling.

confirming the sale, buyer, building society and both solicitors.

You’ve been business partners for 50 years, so I guess Alan passed his probation?

PJ: As a 20-year-old negotiator, he smashed it and was soon our top earner. Seeing the potential, I quickly made him a manager.

AR: Driving a branch team was a huge ambition fulfilled. I loved the family feel of the company, but there was always a competitiveness between the offices which we thrived on. I enjoyed mentoring and being

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mentored. I looked up to Pete’s Dad, Jack

client confidential marketing files (vendor

Jackson who offered advice and personal

packs), weekly ‘Bestseller’ publications and

encouragement throughout my career. In

flag-boards. You name it, we were all over

later years I’d call him ‘Pop’ although it was

it, including taking delivery in one day of 50

always ‘Mr Jackson’ in front of staff.

fully liveried white VW Polos which were seen everywhere the public went.

They say success leads to success, how did the next decade play out?

PJ: We acquired another old agent called Relph & Sons, established in 1858, with

Jacksons was referred to as the green machine, where did that name come from?

prime locations in Bexleyheath Broadway

PJ: Estate agency had been a male-

and Bexley. We then added Plumstead,

dominated industry, but Alan recruited on

Northumberland Heath, and Catford. Soon we

ability rather than gender. He also promoted

were opening 3 or 4 offices a year.

females to managerial positions. We invited

AR: In about 1980, having successfully run many of the offices Pete opened, he said he’d spoken with his Dad who had agreed I should take up the Managing Director’s role and Pete would become the Chairman. We set out our plans and employed the best staff in key positions – including many of the faces you see around the business today. I led the sales force while Pete identified new premises,

them to work with my wife, Gloria, (Alan’s original administrator at Welling) plus a highly regarded fashion house. Super smart green uniforms were made, and the ladies wore them with pride. Men had matching ties, wore sharp suits with branded badges and name tags. The creation of the green machine was complete with all business apparal worn with pride.

sorted bank finances and spearheaded the

AR: It wasn’t just the way our staff looked

marketing of the company.

but the way they behaved; they were hungry

PJ: Our services included more than just sales, so I suggested we rebranded to Jackson Property Services and went for a bold green, red and white, and later the soon to become famous swift was added to our logo. Then came corporate merchandising, plus a print unit in Crayford – as big as a football pitch – producing thousands of flyers,

salesmen and women. Most had been brought up locally, so they also had empathy and compassion for our customers’ needs. In every area we opened, we were number 1 within 6 months. It was such an exciting period.

Where did you get your inspiration for all your ideas?

AR: In the early 80s we decided to reach out to Real Estate Agents in the US. Soon we were on a ‘jumbo’ to visit one brokerage in Florida and then onto Washington DC. This was a big deal for us, two young men who were more used to holidaying in Margate, and we loved it. The Americans loved us too and shared their sales techniques, approaches to motivation and of course marketing.

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• Open late and online 7 days a week • Almost 50 years of market leading estate agency • Over 30 local branches and departments

Your key to a successful sale

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74% of our customers got their asking price or more

SALES & LETTINGS

locally the best in the business

Together we make it happen

Customer Reviews

Sales Services

Speak to us today for award-winning advice

Kevin Wooder Managing Partner

*Source - Robinson Jackson Group internal figures.

RJ - A2 Posters.indd 3

13/12/2022 13:58

2021 Posters - A2.indd 4

17/12/2020 10:10

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PJ: On our return, I worked day and night

agents to run multi-million-pound campaigns

developing ideas to roll-out across our

when we were doing it while they were in

growing network. Alan never knew what idea

short trousers.

I’d walk into his office with next. The big one was ‘open 9am ‘til 7pm, 7 days a week’, never seen before in the UK. The competition was up in arms; they were stuffy, stuck in their ways, and here were two young trailblazers setting new standards in estate agency.

PJ: Our growth didn’t stop with opening branches, we added New Homes which Peter Knight (now Property Academy) ran with a brilliant team. Financial services grew exponentially; at one stage we were the biggest mortgage introducer in the UK. There

AR: Pete came to me one winter and said

were also lettings, conveyancing, removals –

he was advertising in the newspaper that

a one-stop shop!

Jacksons is open 365 days of the year. It took a moment for the penny to drop, but what he was basically telling me was to open all

You referred to Mr Jackson Senior earlier, did he have an ongoing role?

branches on Christmas Day. I can’t remember how, but we made it happen, (it may have

PJ: My father, never officially retired, he’d

been for one hour before the turkey was

be at every company party and prize

served).

presentation, and we’d discuss the business regularly. When I disscussed the prospect

Did you set out to one day sell the business?

of selling the company, he nodded and then

PJ: It was not even on our radar. We’d driven

the weekly progress up until he passed away,

the business to over 30 branches and was

aged 96.

the biggest independent in the UK. However, in 1987, it became apparent that building societies were buying up estate agents as a channel to sell mortgage products and one day I took a call from a big name, then another and another. We had 2 or 3 pitching to buy the company, eventually, we signed with the Halifax and I was put on the main board of directors.

AR: I was just 36 years old, given a fancy title and tasked with expanding the network to 100 branches in London, Kent and Surrey.

We rose to every challenge, including the rebrand of all the different companies acquired by the Halifax - 650 branches across the UK. Suddenly, Pete and I found ourselves in London’s ‘adland’ discussing commercials to be aired on the most popular TV programmes. Today, it makes me laugh when the online agents claim to be the first estate

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proceeded to ask how the weekly ‘HITS LIST’ was looking. Funny, he still wanted to know

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It’s now 1993, you’re both out of contract, what happens next?

they can sell it, and do not get paid until it is successfully sold, which is very unique in the service industry - one of the best deals in

AR: When we both left the Halifax, we were

the business. Throw into the mix economic

not allowed to work in estate agency for

ups and downs and you’ve got the ultimate

3 years. This is standard, but it didn’t stop

challenge for any salesman or woman. Pete

the successful ex-Jackson team talking

and I have faced 6 recessions head-on and

to us about their desire to set up as new

come through them, and we’ve enjoyed

independent agents. Vince Hedges was

success neither of us could have dreamed of.

the first to make the move, opening in Northumberland Heath. Then John Browning,

PJ: The ongoing success of the company, and

Dave Powell, Mike Utchanah, James Cobden,

the young blood that join us owe everything

plus Mark Kennedy and Tony Hodges. In fact,

to previous decades and the experiences we

within the space of 10 years, we were up to

all learnt along the way. It is easy to presume

20 branches, with new faces sitting alongside

that Alan, me and the Owner Partners have

the old JPS team. The ‘Jacksons DNA’ still

always been there at the top, as bosses.

pumps strongly through 200 staff to this day.

However, we have all stood in a gloomy property, with our fingers crossed that the

PJ: The structure of the business, as it stands

viewers will buy this ‘doer-upper’. Every

today, is very different. The old JPS team

member of our brilliant team has been there,

didn’t want Alan and me as their bosses, and

done that!

we didn’t want to be. The partnerships were created, with Owners responsible for the dayto-day running of their businesses, with Alan and I alongside them as shareholders. Work hard, play hard has always been our mantra.

As a consequence, we have an incredible amount of combined experience amongst the Partners and it remains great fun. The last 30+ years have flown by!

There’s been a lot of talk about new companies causing seismic change, but they never replicate our success. At our core, we appreciate what agents do and the customer service needed. Others simply don’t get it!

We will continue to evolve – adding fresh ideas and new technologies. We are proud of our past, and excited for the future.

The Robinson Jackson Group continues to be the #1 agent of choice, what’s the secret?

AR: Pete and I celebrate 50 years in business together and like to reflect on what has been achieved with our friends and workmates. JPS and Robinson Jackson have been big parts of so many peoples’ lives; whether they are staff

home.

And finally, what advice would you give to a young negotiator setting out on their career?

Estate agency is a competitive world. I

AR & PJ: It’s taken 50 years to establish an

cannot think of many industries where

environment for your success, please grab it

companies have to win the stock before

and take full advantage.

that have worked for us for 5, 10… 25 years or the public, for whom we helped buy their first

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Introducing the Partners It is often joked that one would be nothing without the other, but they complement each other perfectly. Alan Robinson is one of life’s great motivators, whilst Peter Jackson is a true innovator and, together, they’ve enjoyed a 50-year business partnership. The pair drove the legendary Jackson Property Services (JPS) in the 1970s and 80s and today sit alongside our Owner Partners, helping to create an environment where everyone can succeed.

The first Robinson Jackson office was opened in 1993, over 30 years ago, by Vince Hedges in Northumberland Heath near Erith. With his determination to maintain the highest standards and with the help of Garry Hazell, his right-hand man for the last 24 years, their team continues to fly the flag for the RJ Group as the number 1 local estate agent. Outside the business, you’ll find Vinnie with his family or winning money on the golf course.

James Cobden originally trained as a chef, but after too many flopped soufflés, went into sales and found his feet as a trainee negotiator at JPS, before working up to management at offices all over London. His Belvedere office may be one of our smallest but led by George Bontoft, our youngest partner, it packs a punch. When James is not liaising with local customers, you’ll find him telling stories, on the riverbank, about the one that got away.

Jack Glyde is our newest Owner Partner, taking over at Eltham in 2021. Having previously managed Belvedere with James Cobden, they are now partners in the business. Customers love Jack, and his charm, plus years of experience, has moved this branch out in front of the competition. Jack has his sights set on success, with mediocracy being unaceptable, so expect outstanding results from his team over the coming years.

The vast success across our Dartford, Swanley and Swanscombe offices is the legacy of many years of hard work by John Browning (JB) and his long-standing management team, including partners Robert Browning, Nick Menzies and Michelle Dean. JB’s staff have worked with him for most of their careers and share a special bond within the partnership. John may claim to take a back seat these days, but in reality, he likes to be in the thick of things.

As we move closer to London, the high streets get grittier, and the properties become more diverse. Our offices, led by Chris Perkins, in Catford and Lewisham have seen it all.

Chris - who can often be spotted on the back of his Vespa or Lambretta - is a ‘mod about town’ who thrives on the continually changing cultural mix. His team are often the first to be hit, and successfully adapt, to market changes around London.

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Mark Kennedy and Tony Hodges have worked together for many decades, heading their four market-leading offices, which include Blackfen, Plumstead, Orpington and Welling. They are hugely respected for their measured approach to business and contribution to the RJ Group. The pair are ably supported by the highly experienced Spencer Humble, John Speer and Andy Greene who complete their partnership team.

Kevin Wooder was the manager for Bexleyheath, and when the opportunity arose to take over the ownership, he leapt at the chance. Following its success, opening in Bexley Village was a natural decision and the two offices now work closely together. Kevin has a fantastic reputation with customers and goes the extra mile to establish trusting relationships in an area where residents appreciate personal service.

Robert Wright and his father-in-law David Powell opened Sydenham together in 2015.

The area’s proximity to London has made it ripe for gentrification, and Rob has tailored his team to mirror the demands of the local professional clientele. Whilst David has now retired, Rob continues to build on the reputation they created to keep us in pole position.

Known locally as RMJ, our 7 branches covering the Medway towns are owned by Michael Utchanah and Simon Woodcock. Together they opened and ran Gravesend before adding Strood, Chatham, Walderslade, Rainham, Sittingbourne and, in 2022, Maidstone. You can always expect one of these branches to be in the running for our annual prizes. It’s an impressive network boasting nearly 70 staff who benefit from a brilliant management team with the addition of Andy Plaistowe and Lee Franklin as Partners.

One of our long-term goals was to grow the lettings side of our business in order to complement our sales services. In 2018, Dominic Kleywegt joined us, and within 5 years he had doubled our lettings business and was rewarded by becoming a partner. Like Ant & Dec, Dominic has a psychic partnership with his lieutenant, Joe Mullan. With their vast knowledge of the BTL investment market and a growing team, our lettings business moves from strength to strength.

Our biography would be incomplete without Tony Robinson and Toby Williams. Following an illustrious career in advertising, Tony has been our Group Operations Director for over a decade. His team includes designers, writers, plus CRM and digital specialists. Together they make great ideas happen. Toby, as our Finance Director, is our diligent bean counter. The Accounts team is always available to help whilst ensuring cash runs through the business smoothly and crucially that we all get paid.

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Barnehurst

Belvedere

Bexley Village

Bexleyheath

Catford

Sales - 01322 340000 Lettings - 01322 292805

Sales - 01322 441010 Lettings - 01322 292805

Sales - 01322 559900 Lettings - 01322 292805

Sales - 020 8298 7000 Lettings - 020 3409 4255

Sales - 020 8698 1234 Lettings - 020 3084 0000

barnehurst@robinson-jackson.com

belvedere@robinson-jackson.com

bexley@robinson-jackson.com

bexleyheath@robinson-jackson.com

catford@robinson-jackson.com

290 Erith Road, Barnehurst, Kent, DA7 6HN

61 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Kent, DA17 5JN

77 Bexley High Street, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1JX

124 Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7DQ

87 Rushey Green, Catford, London, SE6 4AF

THAMESMEAD ABBEY WOOD WOOLWICH CHARLTON

BELVEDERE

PLUMSTEAD

GRAYS

ERITH

NORTH’ HEATH NEW CROSS

SHOOTERS HILL

WELLING

LEWISHAM EAST DULWICH

CATFORD

LONDON LETTINGS

BARNEHURST

BEXLEYHEATH

CRAYFORD GREENHITHE

ELTHAM

SWANSCOMBE

NEW ELTHAM

SIDCUP & BLACKFEN

FOREST HILL

NORTHFLEET

DARTFORD BEXLEY

EBBSFLEET GARDEN CITY

SYDENHAM PENGE

DARENTH

FOOTS CRAY

BECKENHAM

CHISLEHURST

BEAN

SOUTHFLEET

SUTTON AT HONE

BROMLEY ST PAULS CRAY

LONGFIELD

SWANLEY

PETTS WOOD ST MARY CRAY CROFTON

FARNINGHAM

ORPINGTON GREEN STREET GREEN

NEW ASH GREEN

EYNSFORD WEST KINGSDOWN

Orpington Sales - 01689 833322 Lettings - 020 3409 4255 orpington@robinson-jackson.com 292 High Street, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0NF

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Group Network

WROTHAM

Plumstead

Rainham

Sidcup

Sittingbourne

Strood

Sales - 020 8317 4111 Lettings - 020 3409 4255

Sales - 01634 263000 Lettings - 01634 565888

Sales - 020 8298 0500 Lettings - 020 3409 4255

Sales - 01795 479999 Lettings - 01634 565888

Sales - 01634 722777 Lettings - 01634 565888

plumstead@robinson-jackson.com

rainham@robinson-jackson.com

sidcup@robinson-jackson.com

sittingbourne@robinson-jackson.com

strood@robinson-jackson.com

123-125 Plumstead Common Road, London, SE18 2UQ

17 High Street, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7HX

1 & 2 Wellington Parade, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9NB

38 West Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1AP

109 High Street, Strood, Kent, ME2 4TJ

Chatham

Dartford

Ebbsfleet Garden City

Eltham

Gravesend

Sales - 01634 880888 Lettings - 01634 565888

Sales - 01322 281281 Lettings - 01322 292805

Sales - 01322 941333 Lettings - 01474 333111

Sales - 020 8859 9600 Lettings - 020 3084 0000

Sales - 01474 333111 Lettings - 01474 333111

chatham@robinson-jackson.com

dartford@robinson-jackson.com

ebbsfleetgardencity@robinson-jackson.com

eltham@robinson-jackson.com

gravesend@robinson-jackson.com

22b Military Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4JA

22 Market Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1EZ

67 Cherry Orchard, Ebbsfleet Valley, Kent, DA10 1AD

2-4 Court Yard, Eltham, London, SE9 5PZ

21A & B King Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EB

Lee - London Lettings

Lewisham

Maidstone

Sales - 020 8698 1234 CLIFFE Lettings - 020 3084 0000

Sales - 020 8297 8777 Lettings - 020 3084 0000

Sales - 01322 340000 Sales - 01622 476666 ISLE OF GRAIN Lettings - 01322 292805 Lettings - 01622 476666

ALLHALLOWS

london.lettings@robinson-jackson.com

GRAVESEND

1-3 Eltham Rd, London, SE12 8ES CLIFFE WOODS

lewisham @robinson-jackson.com HIGH HALSTOW 27 Lewis Grove, Lewisham, London, SE13 6BG

North’Heath

maidstone@robinson-jackson.com

northheath@robinson-jackson.com

15A King Street; Maidstone Kent ME14 1BA

226 Bexley Road, North'Heath, Kent, DA8 3HB

HOO HIGHAM

SHORNE

ST MARYS ISLAND

STROOD COBHAM GILLINGHAM CUXTON

ROCHESTER

CHATHAM UPCHURCH

MEOPHAM

RAINHAM SNODLAND HEMPSTEAD

HARTLIP

SITTINGBOURNE

WALDERSLADE

BAPCHILD

MAIDSTONE

Swanley

Swanscombe

Sydenham

Walderslade

Welling

Sales - 01322 666444 Lettings - 01322 292805

Sales - 01322 624440 Lettings - 01474 333111

Sales - 020 8776 6660 Lettings - 020 3084 0000

Sales - 01634 868000 Lettings - 01634 565888

Sales - 020 8303 5213 Lettings - 020 3409 4255

swanley@robinson-jackson.com

swanscombe@robinson-jackson.com

sydenham@robinson-jackson.com

walderslade@robinson-jackson.com

welling@robinson-jackson.com

39 High Street, Swanley, Kent, BR8 8AE

39 High Street, Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0AG

256 Kirkdale, Sydenham, London, SE26 4NL

381 Walderslade Road, Walderslade, Kent, ME5 9LL

146 Welling High Street, Welling, Kent, DA16 1TJ

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Together we make it happen Sales | Lettings | Mortgages | Legals

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