NEW owners of the Andrew Grant brand have insisted the estate agency is still open for business despite closing all it’s physical offices and making 54 members of staff redundant.

New executive chairmen for Andrew Grant, Scott Richardson Brown and Peter Bloomer, have taken over the brand and launched a new company under the same name, operating online only.

They said that after nearly 50 years in charge, founder Andrew Grant will remain as a contact for his long-standing clients.

Mr Brown said: “The aim is to increase the value, effectiveness and personal service on offer to clients through a unique digital marketing platform that will support and enhance the personal communications and the customer experience.

“The management team and new local investors are beginning a journey aimed at changing the industry which we anticipate will give rise to renewed employment opportunities.

“We look forward to implementing our new model that will further raise standards of service to our customers. In the meantime we thank our existing customers for the support we are receiving at the start of this exciting new chapter in the industry.”

Mr Brown said existing customers will not be affected by the changes,

He added: “All customers will transfer across to the new company. Andrew Grant Sales Limited was assigned all the sales contracts from Andrew Grant LLP and has licensed the rights to the Andrew Grant brand which is so recognisable and respected.

“Andrew Grant Lettings Limited has acquired the lettings business and looking after our landlords and tenants.

“Customers will experience a seamless switch of service with their old contract and the terms of business remaining entirely unaffected.”