Independent Leeds estate agent, HOP, is expanding its office network with the launch of a new branch in Horsforth town centre, as part of a significant investment that will initially create five new jobs in the town.

The new office spans two floors and will offer residential property sales and lettings, as well as being home to HOP’s property management team and the company’s training centre. In total 11 members of the HOPs team will be based in the Horsforth office, which opened on 10th May.

The expansion is a key component of the company’s ambitious growth strategy to provide a complete suite of property services - including lettings, sales and block management - to customers across the region. The move will see several staff re-locating from existing branches as part of a team re-structure that has resulted in eight promotions across the business.

Complementing HOP’s existing sites in Leeds city centre and Pudsey, the new office will specialise in selling and letting property throughout Horsforth and its neighbouring towns and villages including Rawdon, Kirkstall, Cookridge and Yeadon.

Luke Gidney, managing director and Horsforth resident, said: “This is a very exciting time for our business and the culmination of many months’ hard work and planning. When we re-launched as HOP last year, after previously being known as Let Leeds, our aim was to bring the fresh approach that we are famous for in lettings, over to the sales market. To be able to open a new, bricks and mortar branch – especially after the challenges we all faced in 2020 – is quite the achievement, and Horsforth is the perfect location to do it.

“In recent years Horsforth has become one of the most sought-after suburbs of Leeds and appeals to all types of home buyers. It has excellent rail, bus and road links to Leeds city centre, Leeds Bradford Airport is just 10-minutes away, there are fantastic schools to choose from and the range of shops, bars and restaurants on offer, which consist of well-known chains and superb independents, is second to none. It also offers easy access to beautiful countryside and was praised as a ‘city suburb with a proper country feel’ in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2021 guide earlier this year, which has added to its appeal.

“When all this is combined with a vast range of housing stock, including large family homes, plenty of period properties and smart new builds from both national and niche developers, the result is a very buoyant property market.

“This made it the ideal location to expand into and we’re already receiving positive feedback from the local community who are attracted by our modern office, which sees huge amounts of passing footfall each day, along with our fresh branding, innovative website, excellent local knowledge and enthusiasm.”

Luke added: “Unsurprisingly, Horsforth is full of healthy competition when it comes to the property market, but we’re excited to offer customers a new, proactive and friendly way to sell, buy and rent their homes.

“Even though we invest heavily in technology, social media and our online presence, you can never underestimate the importance of a traditional shop window and we’re really looking forward to growing our presence in Horsforth.”