HUSBAND and wife mortgage brokers who’ve been helping Northwich’s first-time buyers get on the property ladder for 25 years are bringing their business to the high street.  

Nick and Victoria Williams, who run Mortgage Solutions, have always worked behind the scenes in an office building, meaning lots of would-be clients wouldn’t even know they were there.

But they've now taken their first steps on to the high street with a new shop right among Northwich's estate agents, where they plan to entertain existing customers, as well as draw-in some passing trade.

To celebrate their new business model, they're holding a launch event on Saturday, May 11, where customers old and new – and their kids – can enjoy face painting, food, cakes, and even a bit of celebratory bubbly.

They don’t see their business as selling a financial product, according to Nick.

"For us, it’s about helping people at a time in their lives when they need finance to help them get on," he said.

“More than anything, we like to look after people the best we possibly can.

"The breakthrough for us came in 2011 when Richard Coulby & Neil Conduct of Coulby Conduct Estate Agents offered us a golden opportunity to be their in house mortgage advisors in Northwich.

"This relationship continues to develop and for that we are especially grateful.

“This is the first time we’ve had a public-facing presence on the high street and we’re quite excited about it. 

“We particularly enjoy looking after first-time buyers, from start to finish. We do reviews with them as their mortgage goes on in time, and we're there to make sure they get on a decent rate again. It’s an ongoing service.

“We can help all mortgage clients too. We're genuinely independent brokers, with access to all the lenders in the UK.

"A lot of the estate agent-based financial advisers use what’s called a panel of lenders. Sometimes its as few as six.

“It’s quite restricted, and I think it’s quite confusing, as they can call themselves ‘whole of market’. We’re genuinely whole of market, which means we can access the best deal for our clients, all the time.”

The launch event even kicks off at midday at Mortgage Solutions, 30 High Street, Northwich.

Nick added: “It’s all just a bit of fun really. It coincides with the artisan market, which should be good for footfall.

“It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but we did ask Tyson Fury’s dad, John, to come down to open the shop for us.

“Sadly, he’s gone to Dubai to support Tyson’s latest fight, but he’s sending his cousin, Russell, who’s already a client of ours.”