AN estate agents at the heart of Davenham is celebrating 15 years in the area.

J Lord and Co, in London Road, was founded in January 2004 as the village’s only agency and ‘hit the ground running’, going on to establish an excellent reputation for customer service.

After more than a decade living and working in property in central London, Jacqui Lord-Winnard returned home to the north to go it alone.

She said: “I tried to take the good bits of the London market – the quality of service people expect – and combine them with friendliness and a personal touch, and merging it all together.

“It’s all about the community feel. People come in to see us and they love the team and the people they are dealing with.

“We are always involved in the community – we are right in the heart of the village which is nice.”

For Jacqui and her team of five – including Rebecca Brettell who has been there since the start – the community is at the heart of everything they do, and has played a key part in the business’s success.

Jacqui said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the people of Davenham and everyone involved over the years. They have always been very supportive and we are very grateful.

“I also have a great team of staff who always aim to exceed clients’ expectations.

“They are very conscientious.”

After just three years in the area, the offices doubled in size in 2007 and the company has continued to roll with the punches, improving year on year.

Jacqui said: “We have expanded in lots of areas over the years, from technology to the changing market.

“We went through a very serious recession, but we found that despite the political climate people locally have still been wanting to move.

“Even now, people remain active buyers and sellers.”

n What are your memories of J Lord and Co as estate agents and community fundraisers?

Email your congratulations to yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk