Essex-based Spicerhaart, the UK’s largest independent estate agency group, is creating more jobs at its Colchester contact centre following the acquisition of a leading chain along the M6 corridor.

East Anglian Daily Times: Paul Smith, chief executive of Spicerhaart. Picture: SpicerhaartPaul Smith, chief executive of Spicerhaart. Picture: Spicerhaart (Image: Archant)

Spicerhaart, which operates in East Anglia under the haart brand, has purchased another family-run business, butters john bee, which has 19 branches in Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

As a result, 11 new jobs are being created at Spicerhaart’s contact centre in Sheepen Road, Colchester, to help handle the increase in customers, including telephone support from 8am until 10pm every day.

Spicerhaart’s chief executive, Paul Smith, said: “We have welcomed another 200 staff in the North West into our family as part of our plans to extend our branch network even further across the UK. This means we now have 2,000 staff in 200 branches UK-wide, bringing new opportunities for our teams in both parts of the country.”

The new business will continue to trade as butters john bee. Spicerhaart, founded by Paul Smith and his father, Alick, in 1989, has a track record of growing through acquisition, with its other brands including Darlows in south Wales, Haybrook in Yorkshire and Felicity J Lord in London as well as prestige property brand Chewton Rose.

Earlier this year, butters john bee was voted Best National Estate Agency of its size in the ESTAS, the Estate Agent of the Year Awards.