A Midlands estate agent has handed over a £700 cheque to its local NHS charity after a commitment it made at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown.

Nicol & Co, which has branches in Droitwich Spa, Worcester and Malvern, announced in March 2020 that it would donate £100 for every new instruction signed up in the following month to thank local hospitals for how they have been tackling COVID-19.

The promotion also helped the company to highlight how it was carrying out valuations by video for anyone thinking of selling their home, which was a brand new offering a year ago.

Seven of the ten property instructions signed up between 21 March and 21 April 2020 have now completed their sales, resulting in the presentation of the £700 cheque to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, which supports Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Matt Nicol, managing director of Nicol & Co, said: “Like everyone across the UK, we are very grateful to our NHS for all that they have done and are continuing to do in what has become such a huge battle against COVID-19.

“Back at the very start of this pandemic, while everyone was self-isolating at home, by using the latest Gavl Livestream technology we were able to ensure that business continued as usual for our customers.

“We offered video valuations for anyone thinking of selling throughout the pandemic, and buyers could view via a Livestream meaning everything was Covid safe. As one of the first UK estate agents to do this, our business continued to thrive.

“Perhaps more importantly, we used our promotion of this service to make a commitment to contribute to the NHS as a big COVID-19 ‘thank you’ statement, and so we were delighted to hand over the £700 with more to come.”

Nicola Langford, community fundraising officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re really grateful to Nicol & Co for remembering the NHS, and for delivering on such a lovely promise they made right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s wonderful to see how some businesses survived, and wonderful that they made it part of their strategy to include their local hospital charity in their success. We will spend this cash wisely to help more people at this difficult time.”

Mr Nicol explained that Nicol & Co had since decided to continue donating £100 to community organisations or projects for every completion it achieves on new property instructions.

He added: “Being rooted to the community has always been part of our culture at Nicol & Co.

“We are determined to continue showing that in a more regular and meaningful way, especially at this time when people are emerging from such a difficult lockdown.

“Therefore, for every completion we achieve on new instructions we will donate £100 of our fee to the school, community group, local charity or food bank of the client’s choice.”

For further information, please see www.nicolandco.co.uk/community-fund

Ends (488 words)

For further media information or interviews, please call:

Matt Nicol, Managing Director, Nicol & Co, 226 Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8AY

Tel: 01905 799072

Notes to Editors

Established in 2009, Nicol & Co is an award-winning estate agency offering advice on sales, lettings, new homes and land purchase. The company combines the latest in digital media with traditional high street courtesy and service to provide the perfect blend of old and new technology.

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR. Call 01608 651203, mobile 07990 978257.