Franchise success with Bairstow Eves Countrywide

Bairstow Eves Countrywide is one of the leading names in the UK residential property sales and lettings market, with more than 250 branches operating across the country. Tiffany Brooking spoke to four of Bairstow Eves' leading franchise owners to discover the key to their success.

Craig Anderson opens second franchise

Bairstow Eves franchise owner Craig Anderson (pictured top) is looking to the future with great confidence after seeing turnover at his Hayes, Middlesex, business continue to grow.

"We had a very successful year with turnover exceeding £350,000," he says. "That's especially impressive given the recent recession. We're competing with about 20 other estate agents in this area and there's no doubt that the Bairstow Eves brand contributed significantly to our success. The best thing about being a franchise owner is that it puts you in total control of your business."

On the back of his success Craig has opened his second Bairstow Eves branch in Hillingdon and has already acquired the franchise rights to open a third location.

£1 million turnover target for Yorkshire duo

In 2008 business partners and cousins Ian Preston and James Baker (pictured right, top) launched their first Bairstow Eves estate and letting agency franchise in York. With the maiden branch successfully established, they expanded their business by opening a second office in Selby, south of York. In 2010 the offices passed their milestone target of £500,000 combined turnover. Ian and James are now focussed on their next major milestone - £1 million turnover.

"At the end of 2010 we acquired two further established Bairstow Eves franchised branches in Leeds and also secured franchise licences to open a further three new branches," says Ian.

"Not only have I achieved my ambition of owning my own business, I have achieved a much better work/life balance since launching the business and I am able to spend more time with my wife and three young children as I no longer work late into the evenings or weekends," Ian adds.

Full Support from Bairstow Eves Franchising

Rachel Foster (pictured right, centre) began looking for a franchised property service business because she knew that although she wanted to run her own estate agency and lettings business she also wanted to be part of a large national brand.

"After looking into various estate agency franchises, I chose Bairstow Eves because the brand name is recognised throughout the UK. In addition, Bairstow Eves Franchising came across as a very professional company and the support they offered was second to none."

Rachel launched her Huddersfield-based Bairstow Eves business at the start of 2005. "From the start, I received fantastic support from the franchisor," she reveals. "The head office team helped me with the whole process of launching my business."

For Rachel, one of the main benefits of owning a Bairstow Eves franchise is it's 'one-stop shop approach' for people looking to buy, sell, let or rent a property.

"The lettings aspect of the industry is growing from strength to strength and this should really help my business grow and flourish further in the future," Rachel comments.

East & West London Growth for Sam

Since launching his Bairstow Eves franchise in Stoke Newington, four years ago, qualified lawyer Sam Sharif (pictured right, bottom) has been enjoying the substantial rewards of running his own Bairstow Eves franchised business.

"The business has gone from a cold start to an annualised turnover in excess of £600,000, which has far exceeded my best expectations," he says.

At the end of 2008 Sam expanded his business by developing a second Bairstow Eves branch in West Hampstead, London. He has found that the support offered and recognition of the Bairstow Eves brand has been one of the main benefits of owning a Bairstow Eves franchised business.

"Despite the recent economic conditions, by using the Bairstow Eves brand and systems I have been able to drive my business forward and consistently take additional market share in both my markets," he adds.

Sam's continued success has resulted in further expansion by his recent acquisition of two more key franchise locations.