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This year, Stags is celebrating its 150th anniversary and we are taking this opportunity to reflect on how the firm, and the industry in general, has evolved during this time. From political unrest to world wars, technological advances, credit crunches and a global pandemic, change has been the one constant of this country since 1874. During this time Stags has changed too, constantly reshaping and adapting to meet new demands and overcome new challenges while remaining true to its roots.
In 1874, property ownership was reserved for the elite and, as there was very little buying and selling taking place, the estate agents of the time would have been responsible for receiving the rents for the landed gentry. Many of today’s more long-standing firms, Stags included, started life as agricultural valuers and auctioneers. The origins of Stags can be tracked back to four such rival firms across Devon, before they decided to join forces in 1923 under the name of Cockram, Dobbs and Stagg.
By this time, the population in England and Wales had more than doubled since the middle of the 19th Century. The following decade saw a rise in new properties being built while low interest rates led to a sharp increase in homeownership with 31% of families now owning their own property. As such, many livestock auctioneers, Stags included, took this opportunity to branch out into property sales.
By the 1950s Dobbs, Stagg, Knowlman & Co, as it was known then, still predominantly focused on livestock auctions, running 31 markets across the West Country. By this time, farm sales had become a major part of the business.
The 1980s saw the creation of an affluent class earning “new money”, which coincided with The Housing Act, encouraging more people to buy and sell. In response to this, Stags expanded from five to seven West Country offices, shifting its focus to property with additional departments specialising in agriculture, professional services, letting, planning and commercial.
The 2000s saw the rise of the digital era, with almost all areas of the business now operating online. Rightmove launched in 2000, with Zoopla and OnTheMarket following over the proceeding decade. As many started reaching for their desktops, tablets and now smartphones before popping into their nearest branch or picking up a copy of their local papers, digital marketing became increasingly crucial if Stags wanted to stay ahead. One notable online success story is the monthly machinery auction. Since turning digital by necessity during the pandemic, these interactive sales have flourished, with £6.7 million of assets sold online in 2023.
As we enter a new political era under a new government, with falling interest rates and a shift towards greener and more sustainable choices, more change is of course afoot. One constant you can rely on however is Stags and its people who are as ready as ever to assist you in every corner of the beautiful West Country.
