Franchising firm EweMove has moved into new a head office near Leeds.
Pun-friendly EweMove co-founder and self-styled ‘Head Shepherd’ Glenn Ackroyd said: “We were thrilled when we found out that 2015 was the Year of the Sheep. We couldn’t wait to officially open our new HQ which we affectionately call the ‘Sheep Pen’.
“It was great to invite our branch directors up to Yorkshire for our grand opening, which also coincided with one of our regular franchisee training days.”
He said that the EweMove ‘flock’ of franchisees is growing rapidly. Following a pilot in 2013, the network has grown to just under 50 locations across England and Wales, with a further 40 locations targeted during this year.
Former lawyer Ackroyd said that EweMove is a popular franchise option, and that “previous property or estate agency experience is definitely not required”.
He said: “The key to our success and rapid growth is our culture, which is backed up by our quirky ‘stand out from the crowd’ branding, unique website and our extensive marketing.
“Our franchisees benefit from our knowledge and experience as well as our processes, systems and national support centre. Their job is simply to focus on growing their business and making sure that their customers get great results and outstanding personal service.
“We also operate a 24/7 service – not just online, but with real people answering the phone who can ensure that no viewing, enquiry, purchase offer or application is ever lost.
“It’s obvious really. Most people search for houses online when they’ve finished work, or at weekends – precisely when most agents are shut.
“They’re missing a trick as we get 50% more enquiries during these periods when many of our competitors are closed, so our clients don’t miss out.”
Comments (13)
Mr Pee Bee
You make far to many assumptions.
Im not a franchisee or franchisor for that matter – like you Im an industry specialist – one with a close eye on the future.
Enjoy your market share but ignore change at your peril
“…like you Im an industry specialist…”
And that, Sir or Madam, is where you sink your own argument. I have never claimed to be “an industry specialist”. I work within the machine, that is all.
“…one with a close eye on the future.”
Yeah – so did that nice guy who came up with the Betamax recorder… the C5… oh and a little boat called RMS Titanic was hailed as “the future of oceanic travel” I believe. Just how deep do you want to sink your argument?
“…but ignore change at your peril” Have I ever said I ignore change? “Change” is the only constant in the industry.
Like I say – bring it on. Oh – and please keep posting, SA61 – there are SOOOO many issues on here that need industry specialist attention.
You could become a columnist…
I’m sorry if I’ve upset you ‘Special Agent’ and your ‘Flock’. I run an estate agency in an inner city area. I say it how it is. There is no need to mock the way I talk. You have not seen me taking the ‘Michael’ out of your sheep quips. This is an estate agency forum. I am well within my rights to point out flaws in your franchise. Is that not what you have done in an earlier post about High Street agents? I wish you all the best with your franchise.
Manor??!!?? Gaff!!!
Whatever happened to professionalism?
No wonder we,re heading down the pan!
I rest my case
There is one of these ‘Ewe Move’ franchises on my manor. They have no premises and appear to work from home. Unlike the typical online agent they are trying to charge high street fees. This to me is a flawed concept. Why would you pay a decent fee to someone without a visible prescence and any staff? If for the same money you can go onto the high street and use a reputable established estate agency. All this sheep stuff for me is a bit of joke. I don’t think I would want a board with a sheep on outside my gaff! If I was in the market for a franchise I would give it a swerve too. If franchises are your thing there are bigger and better more established brands out there.
Some of our franchisees have branches, but you’re correct to say that most don’t. If you look at the Property Academy Survey, Home Moving Trends surveys, only 3% of buyers reported finding their home via a branch office – 1% via newspapers – 93% online – Hence our focus on online/technology.
We don’t compromise on price (except launch offers). Our office savings are ploughed into service. So we do accompanied viewings as standard. Buyers/Tenants can book viewings online, or by calling 24/7. Over a third of our enquiries come outside normal hours.
There’s a war of words between ‘traditional’ and online agents. The former (who throw bricks at every online agent story…) are protecting fees/their business. The latter is stripping down costs, but often at the expense of a diluted service.
We’ve chosen a different path. Embracing technology and still providing a local personal service.
Ultimately keyboard warriors can bash each other to bits, but the only person who counts is the consumer. They are your boss and they will sack you in an instant. So you must move with the times and provide what they demand.
Mr Ackroyd
Your entire first paragraph is stuffed full of quotes and statistics which suit your purpose – which is bigging up the internet simply because it is THE ONLY shop window you possess.
You are an ONLINE estate Agent. Just admit it and join THEIR flock.
Sorry – I mean REjoin. Silly me – I forgot – but the latest effort to distance yourself ain’t fooling me or any other.
Ah Ha!
Looking at this feature prompted me to look at the original feature about Ewemove – to say this company created a stir in the marketplace was an understatement!
Whatever you may think the business of buying and renting property is changing rapidly just look at your local High Street.
The rise of the internet is slowly killing off the traditional model wether we like it or not. Fancy High Street sales offices look more and more like ghost towns every day with ranks of sharp suited young bucks staring vacantly out onto equally vacant streets.
Wether you like it or not well run exciting, forward thinking business who can combine modern technology with a tailor made service delivered to the door are steadily carving out an ever increasing slice of the market.
Agreed not everyone will be excited by a green sheep but anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that their franchisees do a good job and carry themselves well.
I think that the likes of Mr Pee Bee would be better employed revolutionising their own businesses rather than churning out endless comments on sites like this.
Onwards and upwards I say !!
“…anecdotal evidence seems to indicate…”
Translation: some people believe ********.
“I think that the likes of Mr Pee Bee would be better employed revolutionising their own businesses rather than churning out endless comments on sites like this.”
Translation: If you can’t beat ’em… bleat about them.
Tell you what, ‘Special Agent 61’ – when I stop doing what MY CLIENTS require me to do – which is to sell their properties the way I do it now – I’ll look to ‘revolutionise’.
In the meantime I’ll just enjoy – and maintain – my current position in the pecking order in town. Thanks anyway.
I have a stock response by the way to the H@tched’s; the £moovs and the £w£move’s of this world which, as a new birth to the site you may be unfamiliar with –
Bring. It. On.
So – see ewe around the site in future, no doubt. ;o)
I was thinking this industry was full of bull**** until I discovered this sheep dung
Wondered when we'd next hear from this lot…
Is that MDM I smell being profusely spouted by Mr Ackroyd? ;o)
I feel a little sheepish I turned them down. I looked at taking the BAAth region
No need to franchise just use our system, you can be trading in a week. No upfront fees and a free website! It's up to ewe!