Foxtons news

Foxtons has been working in London for 25 years, but in 2004 they extended their operation into Surrey. Since then they've worked on a 'virtual office' basis, the Surrey team being largely based at Foxtons head office and back offices in the county. But that's all about to change.

"The vast majority of our Surrey customers have never been concerned with the fact we have no high street offices in the county, as they can see our ads in the Surrey newspapers, our Surrey Foxtons magazines and our boards and Minis on Surrey's roads. And most importantly, they can see their properties on the best website in the property business, Foxtons.co.uk. But we've always been aware that a strong presence on the high street is something that can only benefit our business and our clients," says Daniel Burstow, manager of Foxtons Surrey.

"Foxtons has always intended to open offices in Surrey," Daniel reveals, "and we've now reached the point where our level of business in the county and the potential to continue increasing our market share totally warrants the opening of an office. So far this year we've already more than doubled our turnover from 2005.

"At the moment, we have a 10-15% share of the Guildford market, which is quite impressive when you consider we've been operating without high street offices. With the opening of an office in Guildford itself, we hope to increase that market share to 25-40% very quickly."

The Guildford office will cover a large area of south Surrey, including Haslemere, Godalming, Cranleigh and The Horsleys. The new Foxtons office in Kingston will handle business for north Surrey, including Weybridge, The Moleseys, Esher and Thames Ditton.

As the Foxtons name has spread through Surrey, offices in the county have not only become desirable but a necessity. As Daniel explains, "Demographically, as we've moved further afield, running the Surrey operation from our head office has become less viable as the journeys involved become too time consuming. We have a high profile in Surrey, and an ability to quickly achieve great prices by bringing London buyers into the county."

Daniel believes that the Guildford office will have a "massive impact" for both Foxtons and Surrey. "Having an office in Surrey is the final piece in the jigsaw and it will enable us to leap forwards in terms of stock levels and market share. Our opening hours are unique in the area - 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. We only close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day."

Feel free to drop in for a coffee and a chat about your property needs, or you can call the office on 01483 400 000; the lines are open 8am to 8pm seven days a week.