A Personal Message to Our St Mary’s Island Clients and Residents
As many of you will know, Dockside acquired Island Homes in 2024 with a clear commitment: to preserve a dedicated estate agency service for the residents of St Mary’s Island and continue the relationships that had been built within the community over many years.
When we acquired the business, it had already experienced several operational and commercial challenges. Without intervention, there was a real possibility that St Mary’s Island could have lost a long-established local estate agency altogether.
Since taking over, we have invested significant time, resources, and expertise into stabilising the business, improving systems, supporting staff, and ensuring that residents continued to receive the service they deserved. Our intention has always been to protect local jobs, maintain continuity for existing clients, and create a sustainable future for the business.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the continuing rise in operating costs, staff wages, business rates, and utility expenses means that maintaining the current premises is no longer financially viable.
This has not been an easy decision. We understand that for many residents the office has been a familiar part of the Island, and we recognise the importance of having trusted local experts available when moving home, letting a property, or simply seeking advice.
The estate agency industry has changed dramatically over the last twenty years. Today, successful estate agencies are no longer defined by the size or location of their high street office. Instead, success comes from knowledgeable local people, exceptional customer service, market leading exposure through platforms such as Rightmove and Zoopla, and technology that allows us to communicate faster and more effectively than ever before.
With this in mind, we are relocating our operations to an office within the Dockside Shopping Centre. This office will continue to provide dedicated support to the residents and property owners of St Mary’s Island, while allowing us to invest more resources into our people, technology, and marketing rather than maintaining an increasingly expensive office.
Most importantly, while our location may be changing, our commitment to St Mary’s Island is not! We remain passionate about helping local people sell, let, and manage their properties, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community for many years to come.
We will be sharing more information about our plans and enhanced services in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your continued support, trust, and loyalty.
Spencer Fortag – Director
Imagine living away from the hustle and bustle of every day life, but with all your favourite restaurants, bars and amenities including two gyms, literally within walking distance.
Enjoy picturesque evening walks along the stunning coastline, maybe escaping to the IMAX cinema and finishing up at the riverside Gin distillery for an evening drink.
St. Mary’s Island has it all – Beautiful properties, breathtaking views, plus all the shopping and entertainment you’d ever need just a short walk past the amazing yachts in the marina.
Once you’ve experience island life, you’ll find it hard to consider living anywhere else.
St. Mary’s Island always feels like a retreat from the norm and driving home over the bridge, past the beautiful yachts in the marina, you can finally take time to breathe.
The Island is a development that forms part of the 350 acre Chatham Maritime regeneration project, with over 20 acres of open space incorporated in to the design, linked by footpaths and cycle paths.
Inspired design is evident everywhere, with the environment, the community and the new homes having all been carefully planned to make this a lovely place to live.
IT’S THE IDEAL FAMILY LOCATION.
The Island primary school makes family life a breeze, with everything you might need within easy reach, including three children’s outdoor play areas, a doctors surgery, pharmacy and community centre.
We know property and we know what it takes to sell – a little window dressing goes a long way, so we’ve put together some great tips to make your sale as smooth as possible
A Personal Message to Our St Mary’s Island Clients and Residents
As many of you will know, Dockside acquired Island Homes in 2024 with a clear commitment: to preserve a dedicated estate agency service for the residents of St Mary’s Island and continue the relationships that had been built within the community over many years.
When we acquired the business, it had already experienced several operational and commercial challenges. Without intervention, there was a real possibility that St Mary’s Island could have lost a long-established local estate agency altogether.
Since taking over, we have invested significant time, resources, and expertise into stabilising the business, improving systems, supporting staff, and ensuring that residents continued to receive the service they deserved. Our intention has always been to protect local jobs, maintain continuity for existing clients, and create a sustainable future for the business.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the continuing rise in operating costs, staff wages, business rates, and utility expenses means that maintaining the current premises is no longer financially viable.
This has not been an easy decision. We understand that for many residents the office has been a familiar part of the Island, and we recognise the importance of having trusted local experts available when moving home, letting a property, or simply seeking advice.
The estate agency industry has changed dramatically over the last twenty years. Today, successful estate agencies are no longer defined by the size or location of their high street office. Instead, success comes from knowledgeable local people, exceptional customer service, market leading exposure through platforms such as Rightmove and Zoopla, and technology that allows us to communicate faster and more effectively than ever before.
With this in mind, we are relocating our operations to an office within the Dockside Shopping Centre. This office will continue to provide dedicated support to the residents and property owners of St Mary’s Island, while allowing us to invest more resources into our people, technology, and marketing rather than maintaining an increasingly expensive office.
Most importantly, while our location may be changing, our commitment to St Mary’s Island is not! We remain passionate about helping local people sell, let, and manage their properties, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community for many years to come.
We will be sharing more information about our plans and enhanced services in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your continued support, trust, and loyalty.
Spencer Fortag – Director