East Anglian independent estate agency Howards – which has seven branches in Norfolk and Suffolk – has been acquired by the family-run Spicerhaart organisation, which trades locally as haart, to become the largest independent estate agency in the region.

The agency was established in 1926 and it has branches in Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Lowestoft, Norwich, Beccles, Long Stratton and Poringland.

It will continue to provide residential sales, lettings and property management services, alongside financial services and conveyancing.

Howards managing director Chris Mitchell said: “We have always been a company that prides ourselves on providing straight forward, down-to-earth, advice and guidance to our customers, supported by excellent communications and innovative marketing activities.

“Spicerhaart shares exactly the same approach and we are extremely excited to become part of a larger organisation that can bring new investment to our business and provide greater career and training opportunities for our staff.”

Spicerhaart was founded in 1989 by Paul Smith and his father Alick and has become the largest independent estate agency in the UK with 200 branches and 2,000 staff nationwide.

Spicerhaart is particularly strong in East Anglia with 45 branches across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Spicerhaart’s chief executive Paul Smith said: “Howards is a well-known and highly respected agency in East Anglia and complements our existing branch network in the region.

“Howards provides excellent customer service and friendly face-to-face contact and will carry on that tradition strengthened by Spicerhaart’s expertise.”