Featured local business : Finlay Brewer
JUSTIN KNIGHT, DIRECTOR, FINLAY BREWER
What does your business do?
Finlay Brewer is the leading independent estate agent in Brook Green, Brackenbury Village and Askew Village covering W14, W12, W6 and W3. Established in 1992, the local knowledge we have built up is unique in the area and enables us to deliver the best results for our clients. We offer a specialist, individual and professional service and are skilled in bringing together the right person with the right property. Results, flexibility, courtesy, an ethical approach and efficiency form the ethos behind the Finlay Brewer brand.
What motivated you to do what you do?
I feel lucky enough to have enjoyed and experienced a number of different roles before becoming an estate agent 16 years ago. I think that being able to relate to clients on different levels enables me to achieve the best for both vendors and buyers alike. I trained in Fine Art valuation as a furniture specialist before becoming an auctioneer and from there developed an interest in the world of property. I guess having valued the chattels on the inside of someone’s home, it was not a great leap to developing an interest in the whole house!
Who is your ideal customer/client?
Someone with 100% cash and no chain! Seriously, there is no such thing as an ideal client. We work hard to match person to property and therefore anyone who puts their trust in Finlay Brewer and asks us to help them sell, buy or rent a property becomes a priority, or ideal, client.
How do people get in touch with you? (Include as many ways as you like)
New clients can get in touch with us via the usual points of contact including by phone, email, our website www.finlaybrewer.co.uk, twitter and Facebook. However, we also actively encourage people to come in and see us, meet the team and find out who will looking after their particular search. We never under-estimate how important it is to have an individual and personal relationship with our clients, many of whom have been working with us for over 20 years; we look forward to developing relationships of that longevity with some of our new clients.
What gives your business the edge over your competitors?
Knowledge and relationships. As I mentioned earlier our local knowledge is unparalleled in the area. Furthermore, over half of the people who work at Finlay Brewer also live in the area so our commitment goes beyond just finding a home for people moving into the neighbourhood, we are also working towards growing and evolving the area in which we also live. Over the last 22 years, we have worked hard to become an integral part of the community which is why working with the Askew Business Network is so important to our mission to deepen our roots in the area and we were particularly delighted to be involved in both the inaugural Edible Askew & Edible Christmas Askew. We have also struck up what we hope will be lasting relationships with local schools including John Betts, St Stephen’s Primary and the ARC school where we sponsor their football kit and charities including The Shepherds Bush Families Project & Children’s Centre and The Upper Room (please see our website for details of their latest series of lectures).
What is your biggest challenge in the current climate?
Our biggest challenge on the sales side of the equation is one that many agents in London are facing after the extraordinary surge in sales that we saw in 2013 – namely a lack of available properties. We have plenty of people primed and ready to go and we need vendors to realise that they do not need to wait for the traditionally busy Spring market, the market is ready and waiting for them now!
Has being a member of ABN helped your business?
Absolutely. A community thrives on the involvement and commitment of the people who live and work there. The Askew Business Network has allowed us to meet key people in the area, see what other business have in mind for their future involvement in Askew Village and see where we can work alongside each other each other in a mutually beneficial way.
What do you like about the Askew Road?
There is a great sense of individuality about the Askew Road and the surrounding streets that make up Askew Village. Unlike many contemporary high streets, Askew Road is not over-populated with generic high street brands. Alongside recognisable outlets, it also abounds with inspiring individual businesses such as Lavelli’s, The Ginger Pig, Cherry Red, Brackenburys and Askew Wine.
What do you think Askew Road will be like in 5 years time?
I think it will be a thriving neighbourhood for the diverse and interesting cross-section of people who have chosen to make the area their home. Furthermore I hope that the numbers of local and national businesses who support this evolving and exciting area will also have expanded and flourished.
What is your Unique Selling Point?
Our team. Since its inception, Finlay Brewer has understood that its people are the single most important factor in achieving success for both our clients and for our business. Interested, indivudual and interesting describes our team – have a look on our site if you need more proof.
