Darlows

Darlows is an independently owned estate agency that is part of the Spicerhaart group. Spicerhaart considers itself to be the ‘powerhouse driving one of the biggest integrated retail financial services businesses in the United Kingdom. The group also includes the largest and most successful independent estate agency group in Europe’. Presumably they mean Darlows?
So what’s independent about that? Surely ‘independent’ means that an entity is apart from everyone else… singular, in isolation from, aside from, separate… not together? But to me, this suite of companies that ultimately trades under the Spicerhaart banner, seems pretty incorporated in reality even if it isn’t recognised as such in law… which it may well be, but I have lost my appetite for reading through all the corporate blurb… it takes too much stamina to continue doing something that makes you feel frustrated and angry!
How so? Well, I’ll tell you. This is a group of companies that likes to trade on the independent ticket… a bit like your vigilante independent politicians… they appeal to a certain demographic, (usually the more outspoken, risk taking, courageous types that marketing people call innovators)… but, also recognises that the less flamboyant amongst us would prefer to see some substance backing up the little guy at the front, and, as this grouping constitutes the majority, (hence the fact that we have recognisable parties in Government in the UK, and not the Monster Raving Loony Party running the show), they also petition the public on the big boy ticket, claiming to be the biggest in Europe at this, that and the other… A win, win scenario as far as they see it… and I guess it works. Oh well!
I guess being a large player in the financial markets means that they are eminently trustworthy and never likely to go bang, right?!
But here’s what they do: They are a one stop shop for property sales and leases etc, that can arrange the financial packages to make the sale /​lease of properties happen. They cover private and commercial property.
Hmmm… Doesn’t that mean that they can carve out more pieces of cake for themselves from one single deal, (the profit from the lease agreement /​mortgage and the profit for the sale /​lease of the building etc…)? So, I get it! They’re greedy too!
One thing I will say in their favour is that they are well represented in Wales, with several agencies in Cardiff and outlying area alone. Another plus point is that their opening hours are tailored to suit everyone. Their employees clearly work hard for their money… I just hope that they have time for a social life!