Oxfordshire: Bannisters becomes Bicester leader

Bannisters is now the leading property lettings agency in Bicester following a merger with Tobin Jones.

In announcing the merger, managing director George Thomas said: “This is an important step in the growth of the company.

“Bicester is the fastest-growing market town in Europe and this merger fits well with our plan to make Bannisters the leading lettings agency in the town. Both companies have served Bicester for over 25 years and share the desire to offer landlords and tenants the best possible service. With the larger business we will have greater resources to let and manage our landlords’ properties while ensuring we keep abreast of the constantly-evolving regulations and legislation.”

The merger will create the largest dedicated lettings agency in Bicester, both in terms of the highest number of lettings and with managing a portfolio of over 800 properties.  Bannisters will also have the highest number of Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) accredited staff, which will consolidate its position as leader in the field.

The Bannisters agents: Shona Endicott, Zoë Osunde, Paula Russell, Marilyn Reid and Luke Lancaster moved to Tobin Jones’ town centre offices at 27 Sheep Street on May 28. The properties currently managed by Tobin Jones will continue to be looked after by Dale Cox, John Ryan, Sam Lloyd, Sophie Moore, Geri Burton, Leah Baughan, Susan Jones, Helen Curnow and Alex Rosier.

Thomas continued: “Our strengths are fairness and transparency as well as having a strong service ethic.  Under the various regulatory schemes our landlords and tenants are protected.  The variety of the properties we manage and the way we carry out our business is the reason that we are second to none in Bicester and the surrounding area.”

Bannisters also recently announced a merger with Sure Move, which traded as Christopher Pallet Lettings (Aylesbury), which put them in a dominant position in Aylesbury and Buckinghamshire.

Thomas added: “Bicester is an exciting place to be at the moment. According to Oxfordshire County Council, the population in Bicester was set to grow by 28% between 2006 and 2016.  Couple that with the ongoing housing development, the town centre redevelopment and the opening of the new Bicester Village train station - which is due to open in October this year at the same time as the new rail link between London Marylebone and Oxford, and the future outlook for economic growth in the town seems bright.”