A couple who have been running a Martin & Co franchise business for seven years have bought one of their competitors.

The purchase by Jodi and Paul Taft of Dixon & Co means that the couple’s Martin & Co business in Stafford has now doubled in size, with a combined portfolio of 381 properties.

Dixon & Co’s lettings team are joining Martin & Co.

Paul Taft said: “We are excited to have acquired a lettings business that is so highly regarded here in the town. Dixon & Co has a solid reputation across Stafford and surrounding areas for delivering outstanding service, with customer care very much at its heart – and it is these values which are 100% aligned with our own.

“Having launched our business in 2010 which was a tough time, and worked exceptionally hard to grow it organically, we took the strategic decision to acquire another business as part of our accelerated growth plan.

“We expect there to be further opportunities to make additional acquisitions in the next year or two.”

Ellie Hall, managing director of Martin & Co (UK), said: “Martin & Co is part of a public company, The Property Franchise Group Plc.

“We are cash generative and have money to assist our franchisees with acquisitions.

“I personally have direct experience of acquiring many lettings businesses and I know that sellers want a good price, certainty of outcome, and someone who will care for their landlords and staff.

“With Martin & Co we have local owner/managers (not call centres) backed by a big company with the resources to get deals over the line. We tick all the boxes.”

The Stafford deal reflects the growing trend for franchised networks to grow by helping existing franchisees expand by acquisition at a local level.