A DORCHESTER estate agent is under new management in the latest of a number of changes in the town centre.

Sherwoods Estate Agents, in Trinity Road, has been taken over by Greenslade Taylor Hunt estate agents and chartered surveyors, which is based in High West Street.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt has taken over the office in Dorchester as well as the Sherborne, Crewkerne and Taunton offices.

The independent letting agents and property specialists is one of the longest established firms in the South West and has been operating for more than 150 years with branches in Dorset, Devon and Somerset.

Justine Lowe, partner at Greenslade Taylor Hunt, said there will be no disruption for customers.

He said: “We have purchased the business from the trustees at Sherwoods.

“That was concluded in the middle of August.“We are in the process of taking on a lot of the business and management of the former Sherwoods business.”

Mr Lowe added: “We have got a network of offices covering the area so we were a natural fit for the business.

“All the staff had left by the time we came onboard so there will not be any redundancies.

“For customers the best thing to do is contact our Dorchester office.

“We will be amalgamating the Sherwoods Dorchester office with our existing office on High West Street.”

Dorchester Mayor Councillor Stella Jones, said it will be good for the town that the office is being taken over by a local company.

She said: “It’s good when a local business can step in like this.

“We wouldn’t want to see an empty building in Dorchester.

“I’m glad there won’t be any redundancies and wish them every success.”

Other high street changes in recent months have seen national shoe shop Hotter open up in South Street in premises previously owned by Stead and Simpson.

Vintage store and tea room Reloved has also opened in South Street and the Durnovaria Wine Bar is in the building formerly occupied by Starbucks.

The Sherwoods Estate Agents office is currently closed and there is a notice in the window notifying people about the change in management.

For customer information or enquiries contact Sonya Matthews at Greenslade Taylor Hunt on 01823 337722.