There is a new name in property sales, residential lettings and block management in Portrush.
This July will witness the arrival of a new Property Sales and Management business in Portrush. When it came to choosing a location for their new business Paul Fletcher and Barry Torrens did not hesitate, they chose the North Coast’s most sought after location: Portrush. The new business “Fletcher Torrrens: Professional Property Sales and Management” located in the Peninsula Apartment Complex on Eglinton Street will open on the 25th July 2008 providing the essential service of residential sales, residential lettings and block management.
It’s great to see another new business establish themselves in the town and the arrival of Fletcher Torrens comes at a time when buyers, sellers, investors and developers could do with a confidence boost. Paul Fletcher and Barry Torrens are under no illusion about the challenges that lie ahead however they feel confident that their business will provide a superior service to the property market in Portrush and the surrounding area for many years to come.
Selling Houses 7 Days a week
Fletcher Torrens will provide an efficient, dynamic service to buyers, sellers, investors, developers, landlords and tenants alike and are so committed to delivering an unrivalled service that they are opening their offices in the centre of Portrush 7 days a week. Partner Paul Fletcher commented, “We decided to open 7 days a week as many potential buyers will be passing our office at the weekend. By opening every day we wanted to be available to suit the needs of our customers recognizing that the weekend may be the only period in the week that potential purchasers and tenants have the opportunity to drop into the office to consider available properties. We also use the weekend to have open viewings and allocate staff to our many show houses.”
Residential Letting Service
The Fletcher Torrens comprehensive letting service will incorporate landlord-tenant matching and full rental management including free market appraisal, collection of rents and payment to landlords by BACS, coordination and administration of all maintenance issues, customized credit reference checking, inventory and periodic inspections.
Unlike the majority of the industry, Fletcher Torrens will not charge a registration fee or renewal fees if the tenant decides to remain in the property after the initial term of their agreement where Fletcher Torrens were not required to re-negotiate the tenancy.
With over 15 years of experience in the Northern Ireland rental market Fletcher Torrens understand how to make properties appealing to prospective tenants, they can also organize furniture packages to suit the needs of both landlord and tenant. All properties will be marketed with exterior “To Let” advertising, property details will also appear in the rental section of www.propertynews.com, the Fletcher Torrens website at www.fletchertorrens.co.uk and of course within their central Portrush office.
Block Management
Fletcher Torrens understand that apartment owners within a communal block would like to enjoy the investment in their property without the unavoidable substantial inconvenience of having to negotiate and manage cleaning, maintenance, insurance and other endless issues that arise from communal ownership.
Owners can relax knowing that their investment is in safe hands with the comprehensive Block Management Service offered by Fletcher Torrens. They take care of all the necessary administration, coordination of maintenance, collection of service charge payments, processing of small claims proceedings against defaulters, block insurance, organisation and chairing of the block AGM and they will prepare and circulate the apartment block accounts. In addition, Fletcher Torrens can customise service agreements to provide 24-hour emergency service call-out with insurance company approved contractors.
Location, location, location
When it comes to property we know it’s all about location and when it comes to location on the North Coast it doesn’t come better than Portrush.
Barry and Paul are committed to Portrush and the future prosperity and success of the town and feel positive about the long-term prospects of the housing market in the local area.
Barry Torrens commented “I’ve always been very optimistic and positive about Portrush. I grew up in the town where my parents successfully ran a local Guest House for 30 years. I attended Portrush Primary School and later Dunluce Secondary School in Bushmills and although I spent a number of years away, I always knew I would return, how could you permanently leave these fabulous beaches and beautiful scenery?” he continued, “The residents of Portrush are very privileged to live in such a magnificent town which has so much to offer, whether you are into energetic pastimes such as sailing, surfing, swimming, horse trekking or having a round of golf on one of the fabulous courses, or if you would prefer a less energetic stroll along the beaches or around the town looking out on the magnificent scenery and maybe stopping off in one of the many award winning restaurants, it all adds up to a wonderful place to set up and establish a business. Portrush is also a friendly and hospitable town and I am looking forward to working with the locals and assisting them in buying, selling and renting their houses.”
Residents of Portrush may remember Barry Torrens as stopping the Portrush Railway Station Grandfather Clock from being shipped to the USA in January 2007. This clock is one of the tallest freestanding grandfather clocks in the world, standing an impressive 18 feet tall, which stood on the Portrush Railway Station platform from 1892 until the mid-1970s. The clock was then sold to an American antiques dealer and was in England being prepared for shipment to the USA when Barry stepped in, bought the clock and brought it home to Portrush. After sensitively restoring the clock it was homed inside the door of Barry's Amusements, Portrush where it can be seen today. Barry and business partner Paul aim to show the same dedication and commitment to all their customers that saw Barry secure the return for the grandfather clock.
Paul’s commitment to Portrush is unquestionable; this will be the third business that he has established in the town. Paul’s restaurant 55 Degrees North was voted within the top 100 places to eat in the UK by the Guardian Newspaper 2007 and within the top 10 of the best views from a restaurant in the world by The Scottish Herald 2008. Paul also assisted with the establishment of Café 55 and both businesses are well known for their fabulous food, stunning views and iconic building design.
Barry and Paul will head the team and they will be supported by experienced and dedicated staff Doreen Keenan and Wendy James.
The future looks bright for Portrush
The face of Portrush is changing with a number of new developments and new businesses opening in the town. Portrush has so much potential and can only grow in popularity in the coming years as we witness the fruition of the ambitious plans of the Portrush Regeneration Strategy.
Partner Barry Torrens is no stranger to the property business. He has a portfolio of properties throughout the UK and has over 10 years of property management under his belt. Barry initially spent some time in the Royal Air Force after leaving secondary school, he qualified as a pilot in 1990 before returning to education by graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Law in 1996. He then worked as a Barrister for 10 years, during which time he spent 5 years as Counsel to the Planning Appeals Commission.
Paul Fletcher was initially educated as a boarder at Coleraine Inst. he then graduated from university with an Honours degree in law and government and a Masters degree in European Law. Since its inception Paul has been responsible for managing the successful establishment of the popular 55 Degrees North restaurant. Paul is also a dedicated triathlete who has raised substantial funds for local charities including the Portrush RNLI and Marie Curie Cancer Care.