Member Article

Liverpool firm wins Most Active Agent accolade for sixth time

Liverpool commercial agent Hitchcock Wright & Partners has been named Most Active Agent in the North West in the office sector by national magazine Estates Gazette.

The title is awarded to the regional winners of the EGi Deals Competition, which celebrates the number of transactions completed between 1st January and 31st December 2013 and is widely recognised as one of the top accolades for agents.

Recognition is given to the top five agencies in each category, plus an overall winner for each region, across 12 regions.

EGi received a record-breaking number of entries for its Most Active Agent 2013.

Hitchcock Wright & Partners previously received the accolade from 2005- 2009.

Brian Ricketts, head of the office agency at Hitchcock Wright and Partners, says the award was a huge achievement.

He says: “This is a fantastic award and myself and my team are extremely proud to have won. However, we realise that it is only possible to win such prestigious awards with the help and support of our clients and fellow joint agents who without their involvement we wouldn’t have any instructions to let and sell in the first place!

“We are a niche practice and proudly independent providing a highly professional and personal service in all what we do. After a tough six or seven years or so it’s great to see all our hard work has finally paid off, and hopefully this will encourage further investment in the city from outside investors and existing developers and clients.

“Like many of the provincial cities, the Liverpool office market has lay in the doldrums since the economic crash in late 2007, and has suffered with low levels of confidence and demand. However, the recently published findings by Professional Liverpool take up figures for 2013 appear to herald the re-emergence of some long awaited positive activity, and certain key take up trends which are most encouraging.

“In comparison to 2012, there has been an increase in take up by over 57,00sqft to over 316,000sqft comprised of 108 transactions, compared to only 61 transactions in 2012, and a take up figure of only 259,000sqft. This represents an uplift of over 22%.”

Ricketts says it is clear there is light at the end of the tunnel, identifying key areas of growth that have had a helping hand in their winning the award.

He says: “A significant factor is the consolidation of key sectors of take up, such as the professional and IT/Creative sectors. Between 2012 and 2013, we have seen a growth in take up from 30% to 57%. This suggests an emerging market in the IT/Creative industries and the arrival of a stronger, professional market symptomatic and reflective of an improving economy and return to growth.

“For us, the award is a reflection of this improvement, and we are thrilled to be recognised.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hitchcock Wright and Partners .