AFTER 24 years running a town centre estate agents, two committed business owners are set to start their wellearned retirements.

Nicky Nettelfield and Irene Brown, both in their sixties, have been at the helm of the Letting Agency since 1993.

It was originally based on Market Hill before moving to the High Street five years ago.

The agency will continue under the new ownership of Diana Baxter and her children, Nick Baxter and Janice Macleod, of Gray and Co in Bardfield.

Nicky said: “It is something we have considered for a while and as we were coming to the end of the lease on the shop it seemed to be appropriate.

“It is a decision that has not been easy to make as the Letting Agency has been a big part of our lives for nearly 25 years, from starting up in 1993 at the office in Market Hill, before computers and mobile phones took over, to moving five years ago to our present High Street shop in the middle of town. We have seen many changes and many of our clients have been with us almost from day one.”

Nicky and Irene are delighted to have found suitable replacements, who will continue on the same site, under the same name.

Nicky added: “We have been lucky enough to find our ideal successors, who as a long established family-run letting agent already have an excellent reputation in the surrounding area.

“We are very pleased to be able to leave our landlords and tenants in safe hands, and hopefully the new team will blend in seamlessly to the town. Halstead has been a lovely place to live and work, and has so much to offer.

“With all the work Halstead in Bloom do, and things like the Christmas lights, it makes it a pleasure to work in the town centre.”