Estate agency platform LonRes is marking its 20th anniversary.

The brainchild of William Carrington and Anthony Payne, LonRes started in the year that broadband arrived in the UK.

A subscription model, it aimed to use technology where it could, linking agents across ‘prime’ London, sharing market information and property listings which can be ‘subbed’ out to others.

Twenty years on, LonRes today has a network of some 6,000 residential property professionals working across prime London and the country, listing some 12,000 properties for sale (worth a collective £27bn) and 10,000 homes available to rent.

Its database is widely regarded as a definitive source on prime residential London – its sales archive goes back to 1979 and its letting database to 2004.

The organisation tracks the London market, including sold prices and price adjustment, plus time on the market.

LonRes today has an extended proposition called Res Country. It also facilitates a discreet off-market service to a closed network of property professionals; provides a bespoke retained agents’ service; and is at the forefront of anti-money laundering both at a sub-agency level and more widely through its recent acquisition of the specialist anti-money laundering consultancy, Financial Crime Services.

LonRes users also have access to bespoke, downloadable area market reports, unique briefing papers and personalised weekly area updates designed to keep subscribers and their clients up to date with market conditions.

Managing director Anthony Payne said: “It’s a great testament to the company that 20 years on, we can count original subscribers among our clients today.

“The fact that William and I had both worked as agents in prime central London meant that we understood what was needed. This in no small part lies behind the success of the business. That and the fact that we’ve always been quick to adapt and have stubbornly refused to cut corners.”

Carrington added: “We listen to our subscribers and act on their concerns. We’ve come a long way in 20 years but the values that we adhered to then still hold true today. We look forward to the next 20 years.”

To mark its 20-year anniversary, LonRes will unveil a new-look system to its subscribers and is planning a number of activities to raise funds for its chosen charities: Mind, Paul’s Cancer Support Centre and Canine Partners.

LonRes has launched a 20th anniversary microsite for subscribers and public which celebrates two decades of the London and country housing markets. This can be found at:  http://lonresturns20.com/