Member Article

New office ‘Opens Doors’ for Retford business

Growing independent property company Open Door Auctions has invested in its own home and given an old rural farm building a new lease of life.

The Retford-based company has invested in the conversion of an old, disused Victorian cart-shed plot – once home to animal hay – and turned it into a new, state-of-the-art office in the heart of the rural community of South Wheatley, 10 minutes from Retford.

Based at the Retford Enterprise Centre since July 2012, Open Door will operate out of its new premises – one of the only purpose-built commercial buildings in the village – from mid-February. The plot, which is equidistant between Retford and Gainsborough, will have its own off-street parking, be powered by a local solar panel and be heated using some of the latest eco-friendly technology.

Open Door Director Graeme Naish, said: “After a brilliant two-year stay in serviced accommodation, we decided that it was time to expand and move into our own premises. Because we sell both rural and urban properties, it made sense to invest in a location that maintained easy access to our core markets. The office in South Wheatley allows this, firmly establishing us in the local community. We have the expert property knowledge and local insight to help rural residents – and now we are right on their doorstep.

“Retford Enterprise Centre was a great place to start the business but it’s time for us to move on and allow another new business to begin its own exciting journey”.

Since its foundation, Open Door Auctions has sold more than 275 homes – worth almost £30 million to local residents – ranging from terraced houses at £15,000 to executive homes at £499,950 – and has expanded its services into North Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire.

Open Door are a finalist for Company of the Year in the North Notts Business Awards, an annual awards ceremony for Bassetlaw and Sherwood businesses.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kathryn Greenwood .