TEN years ago, on January 2nd 2011, two Oldham property professionals took the plunge and established a new agency, determined to offer a high level of service to any clients that chose to seek them out for advice, assistance and representation with commercial property matters.
CHRIS Breakey and Joanne Nuttall had worked within the borough’s commercial property scene for many years and were fully aware of the pitfalls – and opportunities.
They set up in a first floor office in shared building on the fringe of Oldham town centre, offering valuation services and sales and lettings (agency) with only one property listed on their books. Business soon picked up, however, and following the recruitment of an apprentice to offer administrative support, associate Partner, Glenn Drake-Owen joined the practice in May 2013. Glenn was instrumental in relocating the business to Salmon Fields Business Village, a modern office development in Royton, eventually establishing their current office, at No 7, in April 2018 to accommodate a growing team.
Breakey & Nuttall initially offered property management services, on an ad hoc basis, to a handful of clients who were seeking management support. Today, they manage almost 100 Tenants and a rent roll in excess of £1.2m.
As a firm of Chartered Surveyors regulated by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) , they are an approved member of the RICS Money Protection Scheme offering complete peace of mind. During the course of the pandemic the management team have been tested on all levels managing the expectations of both Landlords and Tenants, and they are suitably proud of their achievements over the past 12 months.
Ten years on from that January day when Joanne and Chris sat down at their second hand desks and waited for the phone to start ringing, the practice is an established and integral part of the Oldham and district property market and, in a neat twist , their tenth member of staff will join them in April.
Partner Joanne Nuttall told Business Edge: “Our aim is to provide a comprehensive and professional service to, primarily, the commercial, industrial, retail and investment property market in North East Manchester, Oldham, Tameside, Rochdale and beyond.
“Managing a small but growing business presents its challenges, none more so than presented by the last 12 months. However, what we have achieved is remarkable, made possible by the team who have been, and continue to be, with us on this journey. Our staff are focused and hardworking and we have been very fortunate to work with many loyal clients along the way, as well as other local professionals recommending us to their clients for our services”.