Countrywide confirmed three of its offices had been affected and many branches evacuated at 4pm like other offices across London yesterday but added it was too early to report on further damages caused last night.
Grenville Turner, group chief executive of Countrywide, said yesterday: “Although three branches have been affected by the disturbances, the majority of our 1,300 estate agency and lettings offices are operating as normal and branch staff in the affected areas are communicating closely with the police to ensure they are aware of any evacuation procedures.
“We will continue to communicate regularly with all divisions across the group and monitor the situation. We have existing internal processes in place to update all of our employees instantly should the trouble continue or escalate.”
Last night, agents could do little to protect their premises in other city centres where trouble flared and properties and cars were torched, including Manchester, Salford, Nottingham, Birmingham and Liverpool, according to property website Estate Agent Today.
In London, Barnard Marcus, Countrywide, Foxtons, haart, Winkworth and Felicity J Lord reported damage including smashed windows, doors and interiors, while looters stole computers. Some offices remain shut and boarded up, including Winkworth’s Tottenham office.
As a precaution, Connells closed its offices yesterday in London at Tooting and Thornton Heath amid fears of fresh rioting. Its Barnard Marcus office in Battersea managed to open, albeit late, after rioters broke in on Monday night, and its Ealing branch was also damaged.
Lee Hinds, an assistant manager at the Battersea office, reportedly said: “Rioters kicked the door through and then ransacked the office. We came in to find everything strewn around.
“We cleaned up the office and fixed the door. We opened later than normal, but we’re here for business, although a number of our late evening appointments have been re-arranged. In terms of damage, we fared better than Courtenay, an independent agent just along the road from us, which has had to be completely boarded up. The nearby branch of Featherstone Leigh was also targeted.”
