A FIRM of chartered surveyors is bucking the gloomy business trend by opening a new office in a village near Devizes.

Symonds & Sampson have set up office at Manor Farm, Coate and it will run by Chris Powell, who has joined the firm from Woolley & Wallis.

Partner Philip Pollard, who will work alongside Mr Powell, said: “We have built a strong reputation across Wiltshire and Hampshire from the Salisbury office and a further expansion into Wiltshire is a natural move to ensure that we can service our growing clientele across the region.

“Working from Devizes, Chris will bring great energy and enthusiasm to the firm and the whole team will be giving him our full support.”

Symonds & Sampson is 162 years old this year and the partnership runs 16 offices in the region as well as being auctioneers at Frome market.

Mr Powell graduated from Harper Adams University in 2013 and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor three years later.