Valentines Estate Agents and Cornerstone Estates and Lettings, two well-known independent estate agencies in Oldham, have agreed to join forces.

The agreement will see Valentines’ clients referred to the Cornerstone team, with Valentines Estate Agents offices in Shaw – on Farrow Street, Rushcroft Road, and Rochdale Road – set to close later this year.

Valentines director Deborah Valentine will gradually step away from the business with a view to retiring after 45 years of working as an estate agent.

Valentine said: “I have worked as an estate agent for 45 years and owned my own business for almost a decade. Preparing to step away has been a massive decision.”

Valentine said she decided to team up with Cornerstone Estates and Lettings because the company, headed up by Shereen Howarth, share similar values.

“I prioritise my clients over everything else – I wanted to pass the baton over to someone who will look after them, like I have,” she said. “Shereen loves Shaw as much as I do and is passionate about keeping our local community thriving.”

Howarth described being approached by Valentine as “a surprise and an honour”.

She commented: “I come from a financial and business background but nothing can give me the same decades’ worth of experience and contacts as having Deborah for a mentor.

“She’s helping to usher-in a new era for Cornerstone, which I’m hoping will be our biggest and best yet.”