AN independent York estate agency founded in the midst of recession is expanding five years later as it take over an additional three storeys and grows its team.

Lancaster Samms invited clients, contacts and developers to an open evening at its offices in High Petergate, where it has just moved to occupy the entire building.

Having previously operated from the first floor only, the Lancaster Samms team now works over the property’s entire four floors.

The move coincides with a new appointment at the business, which has recently welcomed Jo Hollis from Carer Jonas.

Co-founder Charlie Lancaster, who set up the business in 2012 with business partner Neil Samms, said: “The business celebrated its fifth anniversary in January, and over that time we have grown tremendously.

“Our base was an office in Blake Street, but within a year we had grown and started a search for new premises as business had picked up quicker than we expected.

“We wanted a traditional shop front and found the property in High Petergate, which was a great location with good neighbours either side.

“Initially we just took on the ground floor, it was just myself and Neil.

“We then took on two members of staff over the next couple of years, and finally have recruited Jo Hollis in recent months. She has 13 years experience and great knowledge of the local area.

“The growing team reflects our need to expand physically so we have taken an additional three floors in the building.

“We have alway recruited ahead of necessary as we focus our business model on the service element.”

Lancaster Samms has dedicated an entire floor to marketing the latest Hungate development after winning the contract to market another high profile build in the city. It has previously marketed apartments at Biba House, where the penthouse boasted an asking price of £1.25 million as well as housing schemes at Minster Walk, Heworth Parade and East Parade.