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.

Franchise Owners Acquire Third Martin & Co Office in North West Expansion

Franchise owners Peter Mahoney and Craig Wicking have expanded their presence in the North West by acquiring Martin & Co Widnes. This acquisition marks their third office within the Martin & Co network, following earlier purchases of branches in Rochdale and Leigh.

The acquisition of the Widnes branch is described as a milestone for Mahoney and Wicking as they continue to build a scalable, multi-office operation. The pair first joined the Martin & Co franchise group in 2023 with the purchase of the Rochdale office, and expanded again in 2025 with the acquisition and launch of the Leigh branch.

According to the report, the Widnes office was chosen due to its similarities with the Rochdale and Leigh markets, including strong rental demand and a solid base of landlords. The addition of Widnes is also noted to improve operational coverage across the North West, supporting consistency across the offices.

The management structure established by Mahoney and Wicking over the past year has been highlighted as a key factor in enabling the acquisition of another office without overstretching resources. Their approach has focused on operational structure, consistency, and long-term service standards.

Toby Phillips, Managing Director of Martin & Co, acknowledged the disciplined approach to growth demonstrated by Mahoney and Wicking since joining the network in 2023. He noted that the acquisition of Martin & Co Widnes is a positive step for the business and expressed support for their continued expansion in the region.

This development is relevant for UK letting agents and inventory clerks monitoring franchise growth and operational strategies within the property sector.