An estate agent is celebrating 100 years on the high street
Originally named H.V. Sorrell Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents and Property Managers, Sorrell was established in Southend in 1919 – when a house in the area cost just £450 and can still be found in its original location today.
Harold Valentine Sorrell set up the company after returning from the First World War and was later joined by his brother Godfrey and office boy Reg Knock, whose grandson Stephen now works as a partner for the agency.
There is plenty of history behind the windows.
The company was in business through the Second World War, marked the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 and celebrated England’s 1966 World Cup win.
The agency installed its first telephone in 1933 – locked away in a cupboard to stop it being overused.
Over the years Sorrell has been actively involved in selling and letting all types of residential and commercial property in the Southend area from small garages, flats and houses to landmark buildings such as the Kursaal and Victoria Centre.
Stephen Knock said: “We are proud to have a long history in Southend and to be part of the town as it has developed.
“Southend is still a popular place to live, work and visit. Leigh-on-Sea has recently been named the happiest place in the UK to live and house prices have remained strong despite the 1980s recession and the financial crisis of 2008.
“This anniversary gives us a great opportunity to celebrate our history, reflect on our successes and recognise the people that have helped us achieve this milestone.”
“Sorrell has unmatched local knowledge of the Southend property market and we pride ourselves on investing in the latest technology and putting our clients at the heart of everything we do.
“We’d like to thank everyone who have made it possible for us to continue to serve the community in Southend and Essex.
“Here’s to the next 100 years.”
View some of the images of how the agency and the owners used to look below:
Comments (6)
You will never beat the High Street agents. To be in business that long you have to be respected and that comes from offering a service to your community and doing the job right. There are many family agents around the country that have survived for decades. Well done Sorrell’s.
As whippersnappers with only 50 years under our belts in Essex, I tip my hat to Sorrells on their centenary. Well done all, proving the death of high street agency is greatly exaggerated.
Congratulations – and still in the same office. My grandfather, Gordon Hair, started our business 3 years after Mr Sorrell. I am assured they did business together.
….and some try to say that High Street Estate Agency is dead or dying?
Well done Sorrell.
A lovely old school agency who do thing properly – never came up against them directly when i worked down there, but they are certainly respected amongst their core clientele – hope to see they notch another 100 years.
Congratulations, great achievement. Doubtless you’ll make another hundred although not sure it will include England winning the World Cup again.