Over the span of eight decades, Bettesworths has grown to become one of the highest regarded property practices in the South West. Click here to read more about our History….
Historically located in Torbay, the practice is active throughout the South West of England. The Company has strength in depth with a wide cross sector base of knowledge and experience from a dedicated and experienced team.
It was over 70 years ago in 1943 that Maureen and Bernard Bettesworth established the firm of Bettesworths in Torquay.
Maureen established herself as a leading light in the male dominated world of commercial property by becoming the first lady auctioneer and hotel agent in the UK. Bernard was responsible for the administration of the firm and the sale of businesses.
A formidable personality in business in Devon for many years, a woman who earned enormous respect in what, Maureen is still to this day regularly remembered by professionals, clients and the public.
It was in 1967 that Bettesworths began to evolve into the family dynasty it is today. Eldest son Barney joined the firm as a partner, having qualified as a Chartered Surveyor.
In the late 1970's, his younger brother, Mick, also a Chartered Surveyor, returned to strengthen the firm and take charge of the residential team.
A year later, Paddy, the youngest son, who had qualified as a Chartered Surveyor after obtaining a Masters Degree in Land Economy at Cambridge, also joined the business and assisted in establishing a new office in Bovey Tracey. At this time there were five Bettesworth partners in the firm.
The 1980's was a busy period for the business. Barney started the Pub Division which now operates throughout the South West of England.
In 1985, Bettesworths acquired an Overseas Estate Agency practice and for the next four years, headed by Paddy, the firm was very active in marketing land, villas and apartments in on the Costa Blanca in Spain. This division was eventually sold in 1989.
The residential side of the business benefited from the boom time of the late 1980's, and in 1988 was sold to the Bristol & West Building Society.
Barney and Paddy continued to operate Bettesworths Commercial and successfully steered the business through the difficult recessionary years of the early 1990's, extending the regional influence of the firm beyond Torbay, throughout the South-West peninsular.
In 2001, Matt, Barney's elder son joined Bettesworths, after working in London for a number of years with Gerald Eve & Fleurets.
Bettesworths also appointed their first non-family Director, when Stephen Lofthouse joined the board in the early 2000's. Stephen, also a Chartered Surveyor with wide property experience and a record of success, has been a great asset to the company.
The business again had to evolve to combat tough recessionary conditions following the 2008 Financial Crises and difficulties in the Licensed & Leisure sectors.
Having enjoyed success with a very specialist Licensed & Leisure focus, Matt, Paul & Stephen widened the services offered by Bettesworths.
The last decade has seen planned growth to become a more diverse commercial practice – now with a broad profile that leads its field in Industrial, Retail, Business Space and Investment Markets in the area.
During this time, Bettesworths also actively reentered the residential market with a practice focused on delivering to a South Devon focused residential market the same great service and results for which the brand is so well known.
Introducing younger blood, being innovative and developing teamwork has been the cornerstone of the company's progression. This philosophy has helped the company in both good and difficult times and will hopefully continue to apply in the future.
Never pressured into considering a career in the property industry, family members have always had to prove their worth. There are already 11 little Bettesworths in the next generation, so who knows….
