Andrews Property Group has announced the purchase of its first property under a new initiative marking its 70^th year in business.

The ‘Project 70’ purchase comes just two months after Andrews said that it would buy properties to support young people leaving the care system.

The property is a five-storey building in Bristol, consisting of a commercial ground floor and basement with three separate self-contained flats on the upper floors.

The necessary refurbishment work, which will ensure each flat offers a large bedroom, separate study area and a kitchen/diner, as well as all normal services, will take place between May and July and is due to be carried out by ex-offenders through the Bristol Together programme, which itself receives funding from the Andrews Charitable Trust.

Michael Robson, chief executive of Andrews, said: “To have completed on our first investment so quickly after officially launching will create some real impetus to the whole initiative.

“Whilst it is hugely significant that we’ve invested, via our charitable owner Andrews Charitable Trust, in a property so close to our head office, more importantly its location ticks a number of vital boxes in ensuring this project works.”

Project 70’s aim is for staff members at Andrews to raise sufficient funds to enable Andrews Charitable Trust to invest in 50 properties over the next 50 years.

Robson said: “It’s not just through fundraising that the Andrews’ team is supporting these new homes.

“As property experts, they’ll be actively involved in the sourcing and renovation of each property as it’s purchased.”