Local Estate Agents Move From High Street To Central 'Hub'


Orchards of London say move to Hanger Lane 'reflects changing environment '

westworld hub
The Westworld hub where Orchards will be based

Orchards of London is to close its High Street branches and operate from a central hub, in a radical move ahead of its tenth birthday, which it says reflects the changing environment in the industry and on High Streets.

The company, which became part of the Hogarth Property Group earlier this year, is relocating to Westworld, at the junction of the A40 and North Circular roads near Hanger Lane tube. The four branches in Chiswick, Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush will relocate there, ending their presence in local High Streets from 17 December.

They say five new jobs have been created and a spokesperson adds, “This is an offensive move, not a cost cutting defensive one – it reflects the changing environment, and the fact that high streets no longer have the footfall they did. Business can be better run from a hub and resources used better.”

They say it will also enable them to extend opening hours from 9am-9 pm as the traditional 9-5 approach is no longer convenient for customers. The new premises have visitor car parking and are close to Hanger Lane tube.

CEO Paul Connolly (above) said, "The new direction has no relation to rental costs and is simply a new direction for the business which allows all talent to be in one single location whilst removing many barriers for scale."

He says there will be more investment in technology and marketing and their mortgage and financial services company Paul Alexander, Hogarth Acquisitions and Hogarth Design and Build will all relocate to the new headquarters and regional hub. The company is also rebranding with a new fleet of pink and black Mini cars. Liam Doherty and David Diggins become Group MD and Group CFO in the Hogarth Group. Orchards, which employs some 25 staff, became part of the Hogarth Property Group earlier this year.

November 24, 2018