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Month: January 2025

imon Leigh (left) ofr Hackney & Leigh eceiving the awards from Jason Fox

Local Estate Agent Hackney & Leigh wins ‘Double Gold’ in National Estate Agency Awards

Local estate agent, Hackney & Leigh, achieved Gold Awards for both its Sales and Lettings services and was also shortlisted for the Overall National Winner of the medium-sized agency category (six to twenty branches) in both disciplines in this year’s Best Estate Agent Guide Awards.

“We are absolutely delighted,” said Simon Leigh, director of Hackney & Leigh, an independent and family-run sales and lettings agency with ten branches in Cumbria and north Lancashire – including Arnside. “This recognition highlights our dedication to excellence and our commitment to delivering the best outcomes for our clients. It’s a fantastic reflection of all the hard work our team put in.”

Receiving Gold Awards for both its sales and lettings services means Hackney & Leigh is ranked in the top three per cent of agents nationwide. Each year, independent industry experts behind the Best Estate Agent Guide Awards conduct a comprehensive assessment of more than 13,000 estate agency brands. The evaluation is based on the criteria that matters most to clients, such as:

  • Success in actually selling and/or letting their property
  • The time taken to do so
  • Price achieved
  • eeping fall throughs to a minimum
  • Offering exceptional service
  • Maintaining strong client satisfaction.

The top 20 per cent make it into the guide, the top 10 per cent achieve Gold and only about the top three per cent achieve Double Gold.

Mr Leigh commented: “The great thing about these awards is their rigorous methodology, which is driven by millions of data points and sets a benchmark for excellence that inspires estate and letting agents to enhance their services. By identifying standout performers, the awards provide valuable guidance for those seeking reliable and efficient services when looking to buy, sell, rent and let property.”

Hackney & Leigh has now appeared in the Best Estate Agent Guide and won double gold for seven consecutive years, being named the Best Estate Agency in the UK in its category for 2023. The 2025 awards were announced at a ceremony at Evolution London in Battersea Park, and Mr Leigh attributed the company’s continued success to the performance of the team and the customer service they provide, coupled with an attention to detail and use of the latest technology.

The family business, started by Derrick Hackney & John Leigh in 1982, has gone from strength to strength over its 42 year plus history, with a number of new offices opening in recent years and a team of more than 70 people. In particular, the lettings side of the business has grown considerably and now looks after almost 1,400 tenancies on behalf of landlords. Commenting on the growth of lettings, Mr Leigh said: “A great deal of our success is because we now have a team of specialists focusing on the different elements of the process, including onboarding, inventories, inspections, maintenance, accounts and enquiries.”

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Arnside Children's Playground

Great News From The Arnside Playground Project

The target has been reached! 🎉😁😻 and the new playground equipment is currently being manufactured. The lead time is around 8-10 weeks and the installation takes 2-3 weeks. So the new playground should be up and running in time for summer at the latest 🛝🌞

Thank you to everyone who has helped, supported and donated to the Playground Project over the last 12 months. There has been amazing community involvement and it has all made this possible. Grants have been received from various trusts and community funds, as well as sizeable donations from local events including the Arnside Music Festival and the Arts & Crafts Fair in the summer. The Parish Council have also made a sizeable donation in recognition of the importance of having a safe, stimulating children’s playground in the village.

The price has been renegotiated with the supplier, and it has been agreed to use our own contractor to remove the current equipment. A generous offer to supply security fencing while the work is done free of charge has all helped to get to our goal.

So a massive ‘Thank You!’ and ‘Well Done!’ to the fundraising group, sponsors, donors and everyone involved in making this happen.

We look forward to seeing all the children having a great time and enjoying the new Arnside Playground!

New Hospital Consultation

Public Invited to Help Shape the Future of Healthcare in Lancashire and Cumbria

Members of the public are being invited to “help shape the future of healthcare” in Lancashire and South Cumbria by giving feedback on the proposed sites for two new hospitals.

The sites for replacements for Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary were announced on 2nd December2024 but, while the land has been acquired, the NHS said it “remains open to alternative suggestions”.

Kevin Lavery, chief executive of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “We are eager to hear people’s thoughts on the proposed sites, how they could affect you, and any concerns or suggestions you may have. Two new hospitals on new sites are an exciting prospect, but no final decisions have been made.”

He added: “This is your chance to help shape the future of healthcare in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Feedback is vital as we continue to refine our proposals and ensure we are meeting the needs of our diverse communities.”

A series of public engagement events have been lined up for people to say how the proposed locations may impact them:

Monday 3 February, from 17:30 to 19:00, Lancaster Town Hall

Wednesday 12 February, from 17:30 to 19:00, Morecambe Football Club

Friday 14 March, from 10:00 to 11:30, Lancaster University

Thursday 20 March, from 10:00 to 11:30, Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal

Professor Silas Nicholls, chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This phase of public engagement is crucial in ensuring the replacement for Royal Preston Hospital meets the needs of our local communities.

Keasdale Road Urgent Road Closure

Urgent Road Closure – Keasdale Road, Arnside – 14/01/25

An urgent road closure has been put in place to allow Greaves Tree Services to carry out urgent tree removal works.

This notice will be in force for a period not exceeding 5 days from 14th January 2025. It is expected that the Works will take 1 day during the hours of 0830 and 1600.

Please see below details of the extents of the restriction and any alternative routes which may be in place, the relevant legal notice can be viewed here and a location plan clearly showing these extents can be found here

Location: Keasdale Road, from its junction with Guard Hill Lane, extending in a southerly direction for a distance of approx 200m.

Alternative Route: A suitable alternative route for vehicles will be available via Guard Hill Lane, B5282 and the unrestricted section of Keasdale Road.

Passage for Emergency Vehicles will be maintained where required for the duration of these works.

Should you have any queries in relation to this temporary Order please contact the Highways Hotline by calling 0300 373 3306 or via the Westmorland & Furness Council website, quoting the reference TTROW/13567