THE auctioneering-to-printing-and-insurance conglomerate H&H Group has made another acquisition.

The Carlisle-based firm has bought Michael CL Hodgson, an estate and land agency with offices in Kendal and Grange-over-Sands, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal comes hot on the heels of H&H's acquisition of the livestock mart operator John Swan for £8.2m last summer.

H&H says Michael CL Hodgson is a good fit with its land agency business, H&H Land and Property, and with its estate agency, H&H King.

The latter opened a second office in Penrith last week.

Michael CL Hodgson's former owner, Colin Tomlinson, becomes a director of H&H Land and Property following the takeover.

Brian Richardson, chief executive of H&H Group, said: "The synergy between the two companies is very strong.

"Michael CL Hodgson is an established firm. It is very well respected and fits with our long-term strategy to expand our geographical reach and develop our estate agency presence.

“We are particularly delighted to be welcoming the first-class team of staff who are very committed to high levels of customer service.”

He revealed that takeover talks had been going on “for some time”. The acquired business will continue to trade as Michael CL Hodgson.

Mr Richardson said: “The name will stay will stay because, with estate agents, brand and reputation are so important.”

H&H's estate agency division now has four offices – Carlisle, Penrith, Kendal and Grange – while the land agency operates from premises in Carlisle, Durham and Middleton-on-Teesdale, as well as the two Michael CL Hodgson offices.

Between them, the land and estate agencies employ 65 people, 17 of whom have arrived with the acquisition of Michael CL Hodgson.

Three staff are employed at the new Penrith branch of H&H King, in Devonshire Street, which is headed by Andrew Low, formerly number two at the Carlisle office.

Mr Richardson sees the estate and land agencies as potential growth areas for H&H, either through opening new offices or making acquisitions of established businesses. 

It is about to recruit staff to expand the land agency into John Swan's heartland in the Scottish Borders.

He said: “With the estate agency, we see our position as being branch-led with strong individuals who understand the local market. That's the model we will be rolling out.”

He believes that Cumbria's property market will see healthy growth if NuGen's plan for a nuclear power plant at Moorside, Sellafield, comes off.

He added: “Although Cumbrian house prices have been flat since the financial crisis, the level of activity has increased significantly. 

“The nuclear factor could have a dramatic effect on what happens in Cumbria, not just on the west coast but across the county.”

Meanwhile, H&H Group expects to submit a planning application in the first half of this year for a major development opposite its HQ in Montgomery Way at Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle.

The £4m to £5m scheme is anchored on a new food hall for Pioneer Foodservice. It also includes a 350-space car park and industrial units.

Overall, H&H says, the development will create around 50 jobs.

It acquired the land, currently used as a car park, from Carlisle City Council last year.