60 years of selling businesses

THE estate agent appointed to sell the world’s best B&B has had its most successful year in almost a decade after doubling the number of large properties it sells.

Leeds-based Ernest Wilson, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, said it has sold an average of one commercial property worth over £500,000 a week this year as banks start lending to small business owners again. The figure is double the number it was selling following the financial crisis.

Ernest Wilson specialises in selling retail and leisure properties in Yorkshire, the Midlands and North East.

Sales manager Michael Peel said: “This year has been our best since 2007 in terms of sales increasing. Banks are starting to lend more and that is helping with the sale of larger businesses.”

The firm’s biggest sale so far this year has been an investment property, comprising homes and shops, for £1.3m in Cleckheaton.

In September, the firm, which employs 25 staff, was appointed to sell Millgate in Masham, North Yorkshire, voted No. 1 guest house on the planet in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards in 2015.

Ernest Wilson was founded in 1956 in Bradford.

Robert Williamson, who still works in the business as a consultant, bought the firm in 1974 and was responsible for modernising the company. He appointed his son, Paul, in 1985 to computerise the firm. Paul became managing director in 1995. The firm moved to Leeds in 2002.

Paul Williamson attributes the firm’s success to its business valuers, who have a combined 122 years of experience, as well as its sales and administration staff.

He said: “The business transfer market has changed substantially during my own 30 years and is unrecognisable from our beginnings some 60 years ago. We have always been a forward thinking business and look to embrace change and find opportunities for our clients.”

 http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/agent-celebrates-60-years-with-double-sales-1-8241741

 

Thinking of selling a business? Call now for a free valuation on 0113 238 2900 or email sales@ernest-wilson.co.uk for more information on Ernest Wilson Business Agents, visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk

 

Another great review from a satisfied seller client - Empire Fish and Chips, Wakefield

Robert Williamson
Ernest Wilson
The Business Centre
Deanhurst Park
Gelderd Road
Leeds
LS27 7LG


By Email: robert.williamson@ernest-wilson.co.uk

20th April 2015

Dear Robert

Empire Restaurant, Take Away and Drive Through

It has been many years since our paths last crossed, when I bought and sold many different businesses through you when you were located at your old offices in Bradford all those transactions went generally quickly, smoothly and were a success for all parties involved.

When I was tasked with handling the sale of my Mother-in-laws business due to her pending retirement you were the first company that came to my mind and it was a pleasure to meet up with you again after all those years.

I must admit to being a little sceptical as to how the potential sale would progress given the long running recession that seems to have blighted us all in one shape or another and that the business was not a ‘normal sized’ day to day run of the mill Fish and Chip business.

You were instructed to market the business for sale on the 6th February 2015, followed very quickly with a flurry of interested parties being introduced and visiting the business.

The first party introduced to us exchanged a purchase agreement on Friday 27th February some three weeks after you had been instructed to handle the sale, furthermore, other interested parties were disappointed that they had missed the opportunity and were queuing up in case anything fell through during the subsequent legal completion process.

Completion took place today, 20th April 2015 some 10 and a half weeks after you were instructed to market the business. An unbelievable result even given your past history in handling sales of businesses for me.

So therefore I write to thank you and your staff for the professionalism and dedication demonstrated in ‘getting the job done’. My Mother-in-Law can now begin her well-earned retirement and I can get back on with my normal day job.

I wish you and your colleagues all the very best for the future, I am sure that you have a very exciting and busy time ahead for you all given this superb result you, and your team, managed to produce.

Thanks again, it looks like I do owe you that beer, let me know when it will be convenient to meet up it would be great to catch up with you some more.

Yours sincerely

Carl R France
CC: Stuart Moorhouse by Email: stuart.moorhouse@ernest-wilson.co.uk
Michael Peel by Email: michael.peel@ernest-wilson.co.uk


Thinking of selling a business? Call now for a free valuation on 0113 238 2900 or email sales@ernest-wilson.co.uk for more information on Ernest Wilson Business Agents, visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk

For more Ernest Wilson reviews, visit http://www.ernest-wilson.co.uk/Reviews/

 

New sales Manager - Michael Peel - first week = busiest week for over 2 years!

After working his way up the ranks of Ernest Wilson business agents, Michael Peel has been promoted to Sales Manager. His role is to oversee the busy sales team who deal with clients looking to buy a business as well as liasing with the many sellers on the agents books.

In Michaels first week as sales Manager, he has managed to achieve the highest number of sales/completions since May 2011 - not a bad start!

Over the past 18 months, there has certainly been a steady trend in enquiries, viewings and sales with this last week seeing a crescendo for some 2 1/2 years.

Hits on our website www.ernest-wilson.co.uk are significantly up with more and more clients also using our iphone app as well to view businesses and also arrange viewings.

If you are thinking of selling a business or would like to discuss the different options available, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0113 238 2900 or email sales@ernest-wilson.co.uk