LRG has completed the acquisition of three established estate agencies, expanding its national network to approximately 340 branches operating under 27 brands.
The group has acquired Doolittle & Dalley, a Midlands-based estate agency that has operated as a family business for more than 130 years. Founded in the late 19th century, the firm provides residential sales, lettings, commercial lettings and block management services across the region.
All employees will transfer to LRG, while the Doolittle & Dalley brand will continue to operate under its existing name. Richard Hall, director at Doolittle & Dalley, said: “In considering the future of the business, the priority was to find the right long-term home for Doolittle & Dalley, with the strength and stability to support both staff and clients.”
London acquisitions
LRG has also acquired Farrar & Co, a Fulham-based agency established in the 1950s and owned by directors Julian Chambers and Terje Gilje since 1994. The firm specialises in residential sales and lettings across Fulham and Chelsea.
The transaction follows similar expansion activity in the estate agency sector, as consolidation continues among regional and specialist operators. Chambers has remained with the business following the acquisition, while Gilje has stepped down.
Additionally, LRG has acquired Chelsea-based Principia Estate and Asset Management, which manages around 250 residential buildings, many in London conservation areas. The company was also owned by Chambers and Gilje. Principia has retained both its brand and existing leadership team.
Consolidation strategy
Matthew Light, group mergers and acquisitions director at LRG, said: “The strength of the Doolittle & Dalley name has been built over decades through consistency, reputation and local relationships, and that is exactly what attracted us to the business.”
The transactions reflect LRG’s strategy of acquiring established regional and specialist businesses while retaining their local brands and management teams. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
The consolidation comes as the wider property market faces ongoing challenges, with estate agencies seeking scale to navigate changing market conditions and regulatory changes affecting the lettings sector.
LRG’s network now comprises approximately 340 high street branches following the three acquisitions, with the group continuing to pursue further expansion opportunities across the UK.
