Cheshire proves the perfect location (From Crewe Guardian)

Cheshire proves the perfect location

12:40pm Tuesday 9th September 2008 in Lifestyle By David Morgan

FOR property expert Phil Spencer, location is everything and he now believes he has found the perfect place for his office – Knutsford.

The town is home to the latest branch of his property search agency Garrington as he bids to bring his unique brand of house-hunting advice to people all over the north west and beyond.

“It is something we always wanted to do,” said Phil.

“I’m a countryside man at heart and Knutsford is a beautiful place boosted with good employment, a good mix of amenities and easy access to the major cities and motorways.

“It is pretty special and I don’t think there is anywhere else quite like it in the country.

“We have had dealings in Cheshire for two years now in an informal way, without an office.

“Knutsford is pretty special and I don’t think there is anywhere else quite like it in the country."

Phil Spencer

“This gave us a chance to learn the ropes and establish ourselves to make sure we could do it and make sure there was a demand for it. So far it has been well received.”

Indeed, the opening of the Garrington office on King Street was met with much enthusiasm from people who knew Phil from his popular Channel 4 shows Location Location Location and Relocation Relocation.

The programmes follow Phil and his co-presenter Kirstie Allsopp as they try to find the perfect home for a different set of buyers each episode.

In fact, when Limited Edition spoke to Phil he was busy working on a new series of Relocation Relocation in Hertfordshire.

But the television presenter did admit that making the shows has been tougher since the market slow down.

“There is less activity because less people are in the market to buy a property but there are still good stories and good houses and we have closed some great property deals all the way through,” he added.

Phil set up Garrington with his friend and business partner Paul Tabor in 1996. Four years later he was approached by TV producers who wanted to make a show that focused on home buyers and how they make their decision.

This was to be the turn of events that propelled him to the limelight. Phil was initially involved in a consultancy capacity but later his role was enhanced.

He said “The producers could not find a presenter so they ended up with me. It was the same for Kirstie, who I was effectively in competition with at that time.”

Both Location Location Location, which has run for around 12 series, and Relocation Relocation, which has run for around five, continue to pull in viewing figures of more than four million. Yet Phil said he was never daunted by the television cameras.

“I genuinely enjoy finding people homes and so the TV work and the day-to-day work I see all as one.

“It was not a transition because it is what I have always done — so fairly quickly I stopped worrying about the camera.

“But it has been a constant struggle to juggle the two and sometimes I wish I had more time,” added Phil.

Although being recognised everywhere has had its drawbacks, Phil said the television work has really helped his business.

He added: “I relish the awareness I can bring, not just to Garrington but to the industry in general.

“Before this started, there were only three or four people who provided guidance and advice to house buyers. Now there are 400.”

Location Location Location first aired in 2001 and has continued to capture the imagination of viewers.

Last year, the show’s popularity saw its format change from half an hour to hour-long episodes with Phil and Kirstie helping two couples find the perfect home rather than one.

This year, there is also an additional show after Location Location Location on which Phil and various guests discuss any issues that may have arisen on the episode.

So why has the programme endured as a popular fixture on our screens?

Phil said: “There are lots of different types of reality TV programmes from cookery to DIY shows. We are not all keen cooks or DIY experts but we all need to live somewhere.

“We all have property hopes and dreams — it’s part of going through life and something that everybody can relate to.

“The property programmes have thrills and spills, ups and downs and it’s something viewers can watch and learn something from, as well as being entertained.”