From humble beginnings in a small single room office in May 1993, Sealeys Estate Agents Limited has become a major success story.

The company was originally a residential lettings agency during the infancy of buy-to- let. The residential sales department started in 1996 followed by a graduation into commercial sales and lettings in 2008.

In December 2017 the company moved to its brand new £1 million shopfront and business centre premises it owns in Parrock Street, Gravesend. The decor of the new headquarters reflects the history and future of the town including the main mural in the front office showing past, present and future Gravesham. The boardroom and offices are decorated with historic photographs reflecting the history of the town and the firm’s pride in it.

Driven by managing director Michael Sears who is also a senior surveyor, the company set out to practice and promote a strong ethos of friendliness and transparency. This included ensuring all staff regularly attend industry training days and webinars aimed to ensure they all gain qualifications and maintain the ethos of the associations to which the company belongs, namely The National

Association of Estate Agents and The Association of Residential Letting Agents.

Mr Sears said: “With a staff of 11, Sealeys represents the town's largest shopping centre, St George's, something no other agent has ever done before.

“Clients include Gravesham Borough Council, a relationship we take particular pride in, ensuring the council's commercial portfolio of shops in secondary locations are full of tenants This in turn benefits the local communities of The Hive and Lawrence Square providing essential income for the local authority.

“We take particular pride and promote what is best in Gravesend and take our role in supporting the many charitable and community interests we have adopted very seriously.”

Sealeys is one of the entrants in this year's Gravesham Business Awards, supported by the Messenger.