A well-established estate agency in Cumbria is to close its high street branch and become online only.

The Cockermouth branch of H&H Land & Estates, on Station Street, will become a hybrid model, the company has announced.

The firm said it was a strategic move that reflected and embraced the changing needs of the market.

The reformed H&H Land & Estates property agency service will be provided by the same team of agents, led by Anya Caine, who has more than 28 years experience in both traditional and online property sales.

Caine said she believed the move will take estate agency to a completely new level in Cockermouth and West Cumbria.

She said: “For the great majority of our clients and customers, online and digital technology has become the quickest and most convenient way to access goods and services, and this includes property.

“We want to blend tradition with technology, to make sure every client receives the attention and care they deserve on their journey to finding their dream home.

“In our new cutting-edge hybrid model, our property and lettings team in Cockermouth will work remotely, supported by the company’s network of specialist property hubs across the North of England.

“Technological innovations also mean that the estate agent can offer vendors, purchasers, landlords and tenants online processes that radically speed up buying, selling, and lettings.

“We’ll provide one-to-one support in the client’s own property at a time that suits them, providing valuations and conducting viewings whenever required.

“Covid has hugely accelerated the development of online document processing, and the growing acceptance of digital signatures on electronic forms, which allows all parties to complete paperwork without the need to visit an office.

“This helps to make transactions much faster and easier, and also more environmentally sustainable, which is an increasingly important factor particularly for the younger generation of clients.

“Estate agency is all about people, and the quality of our service remains right at the heart of our new model. H&H Land & Estates has a long and unique record in West Cumbria and our team here has a deep understanding of this market and local geographical area.”

Caine added: “Traditional high street office has taken a backseat to a more flexible, digital, and client-centric approach.

“Property sales, letting and estate agency is fundamentally all about people. The best agencies need to provide an outstanding personal customer service to each individual client, provided by agents with a deep understanding of their market, their local geographical area and the people they serve.

“In transitioning to a hybrid offering we are being progressive and flexible and redefining our property and lettings service to meet the changing needs of the market. It is about making it future fit, whilst still retaining the best of the traditional expertise, knowledge and support our clients value.

“We’re very proud to be leading the way forward in estate agency for all our clients in West Cumbria.”