AN established and experienced land agent covering the Yorkshire Dales, Teesdale, Durham and Northumberland has opened a new office in a prime location in Barnard Castle.

The expansion for Jonathan Wallis comes after just over six successful years of operating his own business and marks a significant milestone in his journey.

After working for a major firm of chartered surveyors for a number of years, Jonathan started his own business from the comfort of his home, initially working alone in a bedroom. His determination and expertise in the field of land agency led to steady growth.

Within the first year, he had to recruit a dedicated personal assistant and together, they worked tirelessly to build the business.

As the demand for his services continued to grow, Jonathan and his team moved to a shared office space in a community centre in Startforth. The business flourished, necessitating the addition of more staff to meet the increasing demands of clients. This growth ultimately led to the need for a larger office space.

The new office, now located in the heart of Barnard Castle town centre, is a testament to the success of Jonathan's land agency business.

Jonathan specialises in rural property, with a focus on agricultural property, farms, and land. His expertise extends to advising landowners, tenants and land occupiers on various matters, including property valuation, landlord and tenant advice, claims involving utility companies or land development for residential and commercial purposes.

Jonathan's team includes Helen Presley, his PA, secretary, and office manager, who has been with him since 2019. He also works alongside Victoria Linsley, a qualified chartered surveyor with expertise in residential property. Jonathan's loyal springer spaniel, Mabel, is also a full-time member of the team.

Jonathan said: “Taking the big step to start my own business has given me a lot of confidence and by delivering exceptional service and a good customer experience, I’ve seen the business grow. I’m delighted to be in the heart of the town I grew up in and look forward to being more visible to my customers.”

Jonathan is currently involved in several projects, including land sales for housing development and property acquisitions for clients. He is also engaged in projects such as the A66 Trans Pennine Project, where he represents landowners affected by the A66 dualling between Scotch Corner and Penrith.