WITH a family history of over 200 years, a newly-married couple and a refurbished office, a Winchester business is celebrating its expansion.

The estate agency, surveyors and auctioneers, Andrew Smith & Son, has recently revamped its St Thomas Street office prior to the growth of its letting agency.

Taking the reins is Alex Durani, who married owner Andrew Smith’s daughter Emily in August.

He previously worked as a super yacht crew agent and handed in his notice just one week before he was supposed to attend a show in Monaco, but says he hasn’t looked back.

“This was a surveying office,” he told the Hampshire Chronicle at the newly-redecorated premises.

“Someone approached Andy to buy the letting side of the business. We were talking, and I was not in love with my job, so we thought it was a viable business that has not been pushed and we should keep it in the family.

“I had my own business before I was in the yacht industry and I would rather work for myself so it was an opportunity that we took.”

Mr Durani said it will become a limited company early next year, when his wife will join him as partner. The company is most well-known for its fine arts and antiques auction room, based in Itchen Stoke and run by Mr Smith and his wife Janice.

It was established in 1793, and Mr Smith said he hopes it will remain in the family with grandchildren Rafferty, one, and Evie-Roux, nine.

“They come in and they know where I keep my chocolate!” he joked.

“It is something that we have been meaning to do for a long time because the lettings side has taken a back seat in the past because there has been so much going on with the surveying and auctions. I was very pleased when Alex expressed an interest.

“The office has not changed in years so it was about time that something happened. It keeps the business going with the next generation.”

Mr Durani said the lettings firm will not “try to compete with Charters or the big boys in the high street” but instead remain independent, using local knowledge to their advantage.

“I think it will naturally progress into sales and we have had enquiries already,” he said.

The official take-over was September 1.