Industry Interview: Janice Fairfield from Fairfield Displays.

How long has Fairfield Displays been running and who is the team behind it’s success?

Fairfield was set up in September 1979. Today’s team consists of over 43 people who are highly trained in different aspects of the business. Geoffrey Fairfield and Janice Fairfield are still the original owners but it is the skills that they have developed in their people who has help lead to the success. With an extremely high retention rate of staff with several over 20 years and many with 10 years’ experience means that a challenging product for another company is easily handled by our team. The current team has 3 highly skilled 3D designers and 9 sales consultants who are able to travel all other the country.

Do you work with Estate Agents only in the UK or do you service Real Estate agencies abroad too?

Fairfield is a global company and work extensively with agents in the UK, but also across Europe, USA and last year we even did an estate in Mongolia. So you could say we reach to the ends of the earth. The advantage of working with different countries is that each market has its own requirements and it helps you to constantly develop new ideas. In addition to working with Estate Agents, Fairfield work with major retailers and again this influence helps us to design original projects.

Have you seen innovation within Window Displays over the last few years?

Over the last few years Fairfield has literally lit up the high streets with the LED Light Pockets™. A modern estate with a traditional or contemporary window will want to make sure his properties are well illuminated. Going forward agents all want to look different and this is why Fairfield is launching a totally new range for 2016 which enable agents to have custom designs to help to enhance individual brands. Design is becoming more and more important over the last few years; it is no longer a case of putting as many properties in the window as possible there is a lot more to it. Agents need designs that talk to sellers as well as buyers.

When is it the right time for an Estate Agency to update their window display?

A window display is like a large advertisement for your company and it needs to look fresh and to look friendly and professional. A general rule of thumb you will need to look at your office display about every 5 years. Stand outside your office and see if it projects your current business. The way we do business is changing faster and faster and you cannot afford to be left behind. There are still offices around the country that have not been touched for 20 years and these offices look tired and uninviting. For example by the end of 2016 you will start seeing a large number of agents with high brightness screens in their windows as the latest technology means screens can be seen easily day and night. These screens can be interactive with your mobile phone.

What one piece of advice would you give an Estate Agent who is looking to get a ‘new look’ for their estate agency?

It is not how much you spend that is important, it is getting a design right for your local area and that reflects your business values. If you work with a company who will spend time listening to your requirements, finding out about your USP’s then you will stand a better chance of getting a window and office interior that will bring in new profitable business. Many agents have had clients saying, after a new window display or refit “are you a new agent” and in fact they had been there for years.

What are your thoughts re the Estate Agent Networking concept?

Estate Agency Networking is a friendly, informative way to communicate with people in the industry. I have found blogs by other professionals extremely useful. I strongly recommend people to voice their views as this makes the site even more interesting.

 

A big thank you to the ever busy Janice from Fairfield Displays for answering our questions. To find out more about the services they offer then do visit their website: www.estateagencydisplays.co.uk

 

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More