Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.
Durden & Hunt Acquires South Essex Firm Diggins & Co
Fast-growing estate agency Durden & Hunt has expanded its network by acquiring South Essex firm Diggins & Co. The deal brings the Rochford and Rayleigh agency into the business, which now has coverage across every Essex postcode.
Integration Underway
The acquisition follows the July opening of Durden & Hunt's Broadway West branch in Leigh-on-Sea, from which the agency will now manage all of its South Essex operations. Integration of Diggins & Co has already begun. Its properties have been moved across and are now marketed through the Durden & Hunt website and the major property portals.
Diggins & Co founder Darren Diggins will stay on as a consultant.
Expansion Plans
The acquisition is the latest stage of Durden & Hunt's expansion across London and Essex. The agency has opened seven offices in seven years and plans further growth.
James Hunt, the agency's founder, said acquiring Diggins & Co was an exciting step forward that he believed would deliver real benefits for new and existing clients, whether buying, selling, letting, renting or investing. He noted that Darren Diggins had built an exceptional reputation in the local community over the past 40 years.
Mr Diggins said Durden & Hunt was the right fit for the next chapter. He cited its approach to property, its investment in marketing and its plans for continued growth. He stressed that the local knowledge and relationships at the heart of Diggins & Co remain incredibly important.
Durden & Hunt is also targeting expansion outside Essex. It plans to open a new branch in Stoke Newington, north London, and to increase its presence in Ibiza.
What It Means for Letting Agents and Inventory Clerks
For lettings and inventory professionals, the deal is part of ongoing consolidation among independent agencies, as acquired firms' portfolios move onto new platforms and portals. Agents in South Essex may encounter rebranded landlords' instructions and updated tenancy documentation as listings transfer to Durden & Hunt's management.
Source: Property Industry Eye