R&D acquire Mortimers

RICHARD POWELL

AWARD- winning estate agency Ryder & Dutton has acquired the business of Mortimers Estate Agents, a long-established Lancashire agency based in the Blackburn and the Ribble Valley area.

Ryder & Dutton has its head office in Salmon Field Business Village, Royton, It was named best large estate agency in the UK Negotiator Awards of 2014, 2015, 2016 and also Employer of the Year in the 2017 Oldham Business Awards.

It said Mortimers is well-respected brand with offices in Blackburn, Great Harwood, Accrington, Clitheroe and Whalley and a specialist fine and country property office covering the Ribble Valley.

The latest expansion follows Ryder & Dutton's acquisition of Eley Long and Co and Hazeldene Estates in 2015 and the projected opening of a new branch in Linthwaite, Huddersfield, in October.

These developments mean the combined business will be one of the largest in the north with a 26 office network covering large parts of Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

As part of the arrangements, Edward Snowden of Mortimers will join the board of directors of Ryder & Dutton and Ian Lloyd of Mortimers will retire after 47 years service.

The Mortimers business whilst integrated technologically with Ryder & Dutton will continue to trade under the same, recognised brand in the east Lancashire area.

Ryder & Dutton director Richard Powell said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for the directors and staff to create a business well placed to deal with the challenges of estate agency in the 21st Century. It brings together technology and new communication methods with traditional local knowledge and customer care, professionalism and high ethical values to provide a service suitable for properties and all people."