Martin & Co franchise owners Peter Mahoney (main picture, left) and Craig Wicking (main picture, rigt) have expanded their presence across the North West after acquiring Martin & Co Widnes, marking their third office within the network in less than three years.
The pair joined the Martin & Co network in October 2023 through the acquisition of Martin & Co Rochdale before expanding again with the launch of Martin & Co Leigh in July 2025.
The latest acquisition comes as consolidation and multi-office growth continues across the lettings sector, with agency operators increasingly focusing on scale, operational efficiencies and compliance support as regulation intensifies across the private rented sector.
Mahoney and Wicking say Widnes represents a natural next step due to similarities with their existing markets and the opportunity to strengthen regional coverage.
SOLID BASIS
Wicking says: “Widnes felt like a natural fit for us. It’s a similar type of market to Rochdale and Leigh, with strong rental demand, a solid base of landlords, and somewhere we could build on what we have already built. It also helps from a coverage point of view.”
The pair said the experience gained through operating Rochdale and Leigh had helped establish the management structure required to scale further.
Mahoney adds: “The second office was probably the key step though. We had to ensure we had a robust management structure in place that didn’t rely on us being involved in everything directly. Once that was working, it made the decision to expand again a lot more straightforward.”
The new owners says their immediate priority in Widnes would focus on continuity for landlords, tenants and staff, alongside integrating the office into their wider operational structure.
BIG DEMAND
The acquisition also reflects growing demand for professionally managed lettings operations as landlords face mounting regulatory obligations following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act and wider compliance changes across the sector.
Wicking says: “The opportunity is really in building on that, supporting landlords properly as the market becomes more regulated and bringing a bit more structure and consistency to how things are managed.”
The pair said they remain open to further acquisitions where opportunities fit their long-term strategy.
Toby Phillips, Managing Director of Martin & Co, says: “Peter and Craig have demonstrated a clear and disciplined approach to growth since joining the network in 2023.
“Their focus on operational structure, consistency and long-term service standards has enabled them to scale successfully across multiple territories.”
