Solicitors Property Shop begins reign in Spain

OVERSEAS VENTURE: SPS in link-up with Marbella firm

The Solicitors Property Shop (SPS) is extending its reach to Spain after a firm in Marbella signed up to take the concept overseas and become what is thought to be the first law firm in that country to sell property.

Bufete Cuatro Puertos (BCP) is run by dual-qualified Spanish abogado and English solicitor Oscar Abeti, who also intends to open an office in London.

BCP is targeting the property market for both British holidaymakers and expatriates.

If the venture proves successful, Mr Abeti - who first learnt about SPS through the Gazette - plans to invite other solicitors based on the Costa del Sol to join the venture.

The model has proved to work best when there are several firms involved and marketing the generic name.

SPS will produce sales particulars for BCP remotely and e-mail them back, while BCP's properties will also be advertised on both the SPS Web site and that of parent company Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre.

Mr Abeti said he had chosen to tie up with SPS, rather than go it alone, because he valued the 'know-how and the way they work'.

The SPS brand would engender trust with British clients, he added.

BCP employs seven lawyers, and one other - Concepcin Urdiales - is also dual qualified.

The firm also handles corporate and shipping work, and Mr Abeti said he hoped to open an office in London to augment these services.

Simon Fairclough, director of marketing at SPS, said that while its focus remained on England and Wales, it was 'delighted' to be associated with a shake-up of the Spanish property market in favour of lawyers.

Neil Rose