Wolves goalscoring legend Steve Bull swapped his football boots for a pair of scissors as he cut a ribbon to officially open Halls’ new Telford branch this week.
Bull, who set a club record by scoring 306 goals during his Wolves career and played 13 times for England, proved a popular choice as he performed the opening ceremony at Halls’ new office at 32 Market Street, Wellington on Wednesday evening.
Halls now has 10 offices across Shropshire, Worcestershire and Mid Wales.
“It’s great to see Halls opening this office because it’s good for the town and creates jobs,” said Bull, who is now a Wolves vice president. “The company has worked hard to establish a successful business with 10 offices.
“I wasn’t the most skilful player in the world but I put the hard work in to get the results. Halls must have some very talented people working for the company and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Halls’ new branch is not far away from an office the company previously occupied many years ago when it was known as Hall, Wateridge and Owen.
A man who worked at the original office from 1981-’83 was Brian Bird who attended the opening ceremony. Originally from Claverley, he said he loved working as an office junior under manager Rod Evans and was delighted to see Halls back in Wellington.
“It’s a fantastic office and I don’t think Halls will have much competition here,” he added.
The new office, which covers Telford and Wrekin area, opened for business last week with an attractive offer for new customers. The first 100 customers will receive a 15% fees discount and a free premium marketing package.
“I have received 10 instructions for residential properties ranging in price from £150,000 to £550,000 since we opened and there is a real buzz in the office,” said branch manager Matt Gilbert, a lifelong Wolves fan who enjoyed meeting Bull, one of his football heroes.
Raffle proceeds from the event will go to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, the charity chosen by Halls. Winners of poster prizes presented by Bull were 12-year-old Preston Hartshorn from Newport and Colleen Harrison from Wellington.
Gilbert, who has five years’ experience working as an estate agent in the Telford area, added: “Having Steve Bull come to officially open the new office was a fantastic boost and we were delighted that so many people took the opportunity to attend and speak to him and my Halls colleagues.”