A well-established estate agency has rebranded and joined a rival business operated by The Property Franchise Group (TPFG).

Family estate agency Howick & Brooker has successfully rebranded to create a third Mullucks office at Gothic House in Old Harlow, Essex.

Howick & Brooker was founded in 1975 by Alan Howick, who along with Barbara Brooker, grew the business to become one of the best known in the local area.

Howick said: “Howick and Brooker was an excellent business, but we are now all moving on to the next chapter of our estate agency lives, with many more years to come.”

Managing director, Daniel Galati, who also owns Mullucks Bishop’s Stortford and Mullucks Saffron Walden, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for everyone concerned as there is a great deal of synergy between the brands, which share a similar business ethos and market expertise.

“Howick and Brooker was a very well-established and reputable local business. It was first launched 50 years ago by Alan Howick and initially managed by Barbara Brooker. Alan and Barbara entered into a business partnership in 1986 and went on to create Howick and Brooker, a highly successful local independent agency specialising in residential property sales and lettings. With the business set to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, it seemed a natural time for Alan and Barbara to take a step back and allow someone else to take the helm. I was delighted when they approached me with a view to merging the business and rebranding to Mullucks.

“Mullucks is a very well-established business, that was originally founded in the 1970s and has a fantastic reputation. I first came on board about 17 years ago and quickly became an equity director. This new business development has raised brand awareness for Mullucks in the local area and significantly expanded our lettings portfolio. In addition, Mullucks has a commercial department and specialises in the sale of land and new homes, which means that Mullucks Old Harlow is able to offer extended services to clients.

“The business deal and the rebrand have now officially completed and I am pleased to confirm that Paul and Giles Brooker who are Barbara’s sons, as well as James Howick, who is Alan Howick’s son, will all be staying on to work in Mullucks Old Harlow.

“With regards to future plans, the Mullucks brand is definitely in the market for further growth, should the right opportunity present itself.”

Paul Brooker, sales director at Mullucks Old Harlow, commented: “Howick and Brooker was an independent family run business that was very successful for many years, but the opportunity to join the Mullucks’ family and to work with a brand and business with the same ethos has been really good. The response from our clients has been excellent. Everyone has been very welcoming of this transition and given a great deal of support.”

Toby Phillips, group MD TPFG, added: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Daniel on the completion of this deal, which has extended the Mullucks portfolio to create a third office in Old Harlow. Daniel has successfully grown the Mullucks brand in recent years and the rebranding of Howick and Brooker to create Mullucks Old Harlow is an innovative and exciting development for the brand. I wish him every success for the future.”