An estate agent has opened what is claimed to be Britain’s first drive-through property business.
The agency, run by Martin Hobbs, outgrew its former premises and has now moved into a closed-down petrol station.
The site, in Millbrook, Cornwall, allows motorists to pull up, park free on what was the forecourt, and visit the agency – aptly called MPH.
Hobbs, with 15 years’ experience in estate agency and who is now also a solicitor, said: “Our former premises were really small. We could only put up five properties on display in the windows.
“When the garage forecourt closed down, I thought it was just what we needed.
“It offers a massive window display, you can drive in, pop in to pick up some information about a house and drive off without getting wet.
“When I first mentioned moving the business into the garage, my wife first thought I was mad. But now that we’ve removed the pumps and undergone a massive refurb, it just makes sense.”
The new venue is large enough for both the legal practice and the estate agency business, and a week after opening it appears to be motoring, with five new listings.
In summer, said Hobbs, it will have pot plants and offer local people a sitting-out place.
Shouldn’t it also be selling charcoal for barbecues, snacks, pints of milk, newspapers and petrol station flowers?
When you think about it, the opportunities for diversification are, well, fuel for thought.
Comments (15)
How lovely to see such a premises brought back into use!
Closed down garages are such an eye-sore and bring down an area.
This agent has probably added 5% to house prices in that road, now that it is not blighted with an unused building. 🙂
That’s what I call a win/win!
This agent has probably added 5% to house prices in that road, now that it is not blighted with an unused building.
There’s always one…
Like most good petrol stations, I see they have an OTM.
Let’s hope they offer a quality service.
Oil be watching them for any signs of #portaljuggling.
Wonder if it was a wrench leaving their old premises?
That’s the best one so far there, BeePee.
Why thank you, Sir. Or madam.
mine was funnier……… wasn’t it ?
S’cuse me. Judging by the ‘likes’, so far it seems mine was funniest. Not that I wheel mind if I lose the lead.
It could be a TOTAL success.!
Still we shouldn’t FUEL speculation without finding out how well OILED his operation is, particularly in this PUMPED up housing market.
All the same I wish him well and remember and in this cold weather he better wear a decent FORECOURT (as they say in the north).
Did I miss any?
The caps were an unnecessary addition, but I think you should be proud of your efforts.
your very kind. REALLY
I wonder how much he had to Shell out?
I wish Martin well. But for kerb appeal it looks like a dreary 1970’s/80’s petrol station thats closed and an agency is just using its windows till it finds a new use. It really needs a frontal facelift
When I went in they pumped me for information about my own sale. I was very tyred afterwards. But oil be going back.
very emotional estate agency – well I filled up when I visited……