Deputy Mayor Officially Opens Durden & Hunt's New Leigh-on-Sea Branch as Community Comes Together to Support Leigh Lionesses FC

July 14, 2026

Award-winning estate agency Durden & Hunt officially celebrated the opening of its new Leigh-on-Sea branch on Saturday 11th July, welcoming hundreds of local residents, businesses and community partners for an afternoon of celebrations, fundraising and family activities.

The official ribbon cutting was performed by the Deputy Mayor of Southend, Councillor Anne Jones, marking the opening of Durden & Hunt's seventh office as the company continues its expansion across Essex and London.

James Hunt, Founder of Durden & Hunt, said: "Opening our Leigh-on-Sea branch marks another important milestone for Durden & Hunt. Leigh has always been a location we wanted to be part of, not only because of its exceptional property market but because of its strong sense of community.

"Our ambition has always been to create offices that become part of the places they serve. So seeing so many residents and local businesses supporting our launch was a fantastic welcome and we're excited to build lasting relationships across Leigh-on-Sea."

Held at the company's new Broadway West branch, the launch event showcased Durden & Hunt's commitment to becoming an active part of the local community while raising funds for Leigh Lionesses FC, whose under-15s team is proudly sponsored by the agency.

Guests enjoyed complimentary ice creams from Gemma's of Leigh, coffees from Crystal Rock Co, play vouchers from Mini & Me Play Café, refreshments, dog treats, balloons and a charity raffle for Leigh Lionesses FC, supported by independent businesses from across Leigh-on-Sea.

In addition to raffle ticket sales, Durden & Hunt pledged to donate £10 to Leigh Lionesses FC for every property valuation booked during the event, further supporting the grassroots football club. The founders have now committed to extend this pledge until the end of July, so if you’re thinking of selling or renting, now might be the time to get in touch.

Jody Rice, Chairman of Leigh Lionesses FC, said: "We are incredibly thankful to Durden & Hunt for their support of Leigh Lionesses FC. Their sponsorship helps us provide valuable opportunities for our players and ensures they can continue to enjoy football, develop friendships and reach their full potential."

The community raffle raised over £500 and featured prizes generously donated by local businesses, including treatments, experiences, restaurant vouchers, family attractions and shopping vouchers, highlighting the strength of Leigh-on-Sea's independent business community.

Andy Binnington, Branch Partner at Durden & Hunt Leigh-on-Sea, said: "The support we received from the local community and fellow businesses exceeded our expectations. It was fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate the opening of our new branch while raising money for such a worthwhile local cause.”

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Anne Jones, officially opened the branch during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and met with local residents, business owners and representatives from Leigh Lionesses FC throughout the afternoon.

“It was so wonderful to officially open the new branch of Durden & Hunt, this weekend. They are an organisation that are determined to be part of our thriving business community, but also recognise the wider role that business colleagues contribute.

“It was so fulfilling to witness their support for a local girls football team, the Leigh Lionesses and to see how they promoted the young ladies as the real VIPs of the event! I was delighted that the fabulous girl’s team and I shared the spotlight, as the team at Durden & Hunt, put themselves on the map in Leigh-on-Sea.” Deputy Mayor of Southend, Cllr Anne Jones.

The new office offers a contemporary, welcoming environment where buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants can discuss their property goals in a relaxed setting. Distinctive design features include a full- size feature tree and illuminated property displays, reflecting Durden & Hunt's modern approach to estate agency.

The Leigh-on-Sea team specialises in the sale and letting of homes across Leigh-on-Sea, Southend- on-Sea, Chalkwell, Rayleigh, Thorpe Bay, Hadleigh, Langdon Hills and the surrounding areas, combining local knowledge with a highly personalised service.

The opening represents another milestone in Durden & Hunt's continued growth, with seven branches now established across Essex and London in seven years, alongside the company's ongoing international expansion.