Despite well-documented difficult times for the industry, there are agents who are continuing to expand.

In Farnborough, Hampshire, Prospect has just opened its tenth branch.

It follows its acquisition last year of Farnborough firm James Griffin Sales & Lettings, whose staff now run the new Prospect branch.

Prospect was founded in 1990 and also has offices in Berkshire and Surrey.

In London, Russell Simpson is marking 40 years in business with the opening of a second branch.

The new branch in Kensington will be led by Bertie and Hattie Russell.

The business was founded in 1979 in Chelsea by Alan Russell.

In north Wales, agent Dafydd Hardy has acquired a local independent, Smith & Wypler, based in Llandudno.

The sale is on the retirement of husband and wife team Steven and Jenny Wypler.

The acquisition means that all staff will be retained and the business will eventually be rebranded to the Dafydd Hardy name.

In Bradford, West Yorkshire, a Martin & Co franchisee has acquired a local competitor. Martin & Co Saltair, run by Angela Newark, has acquired Red Box’s managed portfolio of 144 properties and has also taken on the agency’s premises in Thackley, which will be rebranded.

Newark ran a successful fish and chip shop before taking on Martin & Co 12 years ago, and also runs the Property Franchise Group stablemate, Whitegates in Keighley.

The purchase was made with the support of the Property Franchise Group, which made it clear that it is eager to help its franchisees expand via acquisitions of local competitors.

Meanwhile Leaders Romans Group has acquired a block management business, Revolution Property Management, based in Manchester.

This is the company’s first move into block management.

Lee Burkitt, former owner of Revolution, will be leaving the business after a short hand-over period.

Leaders Romans Group said it is still looking for further acquisitions across both lettings and block management.

However, there have been some closures, including two Hunters outlets in the east of the country.

The Lincoln and Mablethorpe branches have been consolidated into the wider Lincolnshire group, headquartered in Skegness.

A spokesperson for Hunters said: “We are strong advocates of the high street model, as demonstrated by the recent opening of four new branches in Essex and Hertfordshire, but we will in some instances choose to encourage modest consolidation in the interests of optimal customer service and efficiency.”

Below, the interior of Prospect’s striking new office in Farnborough, Hampshire