Two Martin & Co franchise owners have acquired their third office in the North West, expanding their lettings portfolio across the region in under two years.
Peter Mahoney and Craig Wicking have taken on Martin & Co Widnes, adding to their existing operations in Rochdale and Leigh. The acquisition marks their continued expansion since entering the franchise network in October 2023.
Regional expansion strategy
The duo’s first acquisition was Martin & Co Rochdale through a resale purchase in October 2023, followed by the launch of Martin & Co Leigh in July 2025. The addition of Widnes creates a multi-office operation spanning a strategic corridor across the North West.
Wicking said the new location aligned with their existing portfolio. “It’s a similar type of market to Rochdale and Leigh, with strong rental demand and a solid base of landlords,” he stated. “Having all three gives us a better spread across the North West, which makes it easier to keep things consistent operationally.”
The expansion comes as the private rental sector continues to evolve, with changing tenant demographics across UK markets.
Operational framework
Mahoney and Wicking attributed their ability to scale to establishing a management structure before taking on additional offices. “Once that was working, it made the decision to expand again a lot more straightforward,” Mahoney said. “At that point, it becomes about adding to a structure rather than building from scratch each time.”
The pair stated their immediate priority in Widnes is maintaining continuity for existing landlords and tenants before integrating the office into their operational framework.
Future growth plans
Both franchisees indicated openness to further expansion, subject to suitable opportunities. “We’re open to further growth, provided it’s the right fit,” Wicking said. “Only where we can see it working long term and where we’re confident we can maintain the same standards.”
Martin & Co Managing Director Toby Phillips described the duo as having demonstrated “a clear and disciplined approach to growth,” noting that their focus on operational structure had enabled them to scale across multiple territories.
The acquisition reflects broader activity in the franchise lettings sector, as operators seek to build regional portfolios in markets with established rental demand.