It’s the talk of the Monte… and the end of an era! Mike & Margaret Lingwood have sold their highly successful Estate Agency, in the face of what Mike calls, ‘An offer that could not be refused’ (I don’t think any horse’s heads were involved).

The new owners are not yet ready to talk with us about their plans, so look for more details in future issues. We can tell you that the purchasers are a Spanish group, who already have interests in property development and also a Gestoria business for the conveyancing of property. So what they are doing, it seems, is adding a retail sales arm to their existing businesses. Vertical integration, we business types call it. All is not changing immediately however, for Partner James Thomas is staying on to oversee the transition, so there will be a familiar face in the office.

The good news is that I caught up with Mike, in Germany enjoying what he referred to as a glass of a ‘cheeky Moselle’ – and good for him! Anyway, he and Margaret plan to remain in their current home, so they will not be lost to the Community. After all they have done, not only for El Monte, but also for the Town in general, we owe them a vote of thanks for their outstanding contribution.