IT WAS smiles all round as Denise Howard launched her first big "landlubber" venture since she sold YorkBoat, her award-winning cruise company on the Ouse.

Members of York's business community last night converged on Fossgate, where she introduced Smilesallround, her new York residential estate agency, which employs seven people.

Denise said: "Our aim is to leave a smile on everyone's face, during what can be a difficult time of buying or selling a house."

She and her husband, John, sold YorkBoat to Manchester-based investment company Zeus Capital for an undisclosed sum in November, 2004.

It brought to an end their relationship with the thriving businesses they had built up to the point of having 20 permanent staff and up to 45 seasonal staff, success which brought them numerous tourism awards, including winning the 1993 Evening Press Business Of The Year title.

Since the sale Denise, a former marketing graduate who met John when she was a student working temporarily on the river boats, has been planning her next move.

"At first,I wasn't sure whether I wanted another business, but I do buy houses, renovate and sell them and I decided that there was a great marketing opportunity. I looked at it from the customer's point of view."

That meant getting together with Joanne Johnson, her customer services director, formerly of BT, and creating a customer-friendly office in what used to be the base for Corries Solicitors. Denise said: "You will notice a distinct lack of desks and office clutter. Instead, we have a huge customer reception area with comfortable sofas. We use wireless laptops to make searches and register customers."

There is also a children's area equipped with the latest Xbox 360 games console, a television, DVDs, books, games and crayons. "It means that parents can take the time they need to either find or sell their property."

She will be offering a full conveyancing and independent financial advice service, under a partnering arrangement, plus a property rental service. Until the end of April, Smilesallround is promoting a one per cent commission, which will include free conveyancing.

Denise had no doubt about entering the well-contested property and rental market in the city. "There is never a bad time to open a good business.

"People like to talk up property booms and property bust, but if you look at the Land Registry you will see that property in York is fairly stable."

Updated: 10:08 Wednesday, April 05, 2006