Might Estate Agents open first to help rebuild the economy?

A recommendation is reported to have been made in a report written for the Government by Conservative peer Lord Gadhia and Sir Jonathan Symonds, chairman of GlaxoSmithKline.

Along with coffee shops and restaurants, Estate Agents offices could be amongst the first premises likely to be allowed to reopen – perhaps as early as May.

The claim was reported widely late yesterday by EstateAgentTODAY having been covered by two national newspapers yesterday morning.

They say the recommendation suggests a limited reopening of Britain’s commercial activities with appropriate social distancing measures and goes on to say ‘The initial focus for reopening the economy should be on sectors that have the greatest multiplier effects with minimum risks’

I believe this is part of the discussion that we are all anxious to have and understand. Everyone is doing their best to help the NHS and obey social distancing but soon it will be time to take the next step.

Public health must be protected at all costs but in order to finance the Government’s plan, we must rebuild our economy and exploring ways to safely restore commerce in a new framework of measures is welcome.

Hobbs Parker is a responsible business and, if allowed to re-open, we will take every care to maintain social distancing whilst carrying out the business of selling and letting property. It will not be difficult for us to provide the necessary protection to our staff and the general public as long as we are all sensible and respect the new ‘rules’.

It is certainly true that we are a multiplier business, just one home move can involve solicitors, surveyors, mortgage lenders and removal firms not to mention the knock-on effect to the construction and retail industries.

It is my hope that the Government employs these wise recommendations in the tentative measures necessary to reopen our economy when it is safe to do so.