History
The partnership of G A Key was founded in 1953 by Geoffrey Key when he opened a livestock market and estate agency office in the town of Aylsham, Norfolk. This venture was so successful that the following year a second office was opened in North Walsham.
The Auctioneering side of the business grew rapidly over the ensuing years, dealing with the sale of a wide variety of items. In 1960, it was expanded by the establishment of a specialised Fine Art Department. This prestigious department, based in Aylsham, is recognised as the market leader in East Anglia and one of the UKs leading provincial auction houses, attracting an international clientele.
The estate agency side of the business also continued to flourish and expand. The addition of offices in the coastal resort towns of Cromer and Sheringham, the pretty Georgian market town of Holt and the county capital Norwich complete the 6 offices currently operated by the firm and which enable them to offer estate agency services throughout the county of Norfolk and beyond.
The range of services provided by the company have continued to grow as the firm has adapted to changing times: Keys Holidays provides self-catering holidays on the picturesque North Norfolk Coast; Our Commercial and Investment Property department operate across East Anglia covering everything from the Licensed Trade to Industrial Premises; our Professional Services department offer surveying and investment advice.
Despite the changes which took place within the estate agency profession in the 1980s, which saw many small firms swallowed up by large financial institutions, Keys fought fiercely to retain its independence. This has ensured that we retain our flexibility to local market conditions, ensuring the best possible service for our clients.
Today, Keys is a thoroughly modern concern which although being able to draw on nearly 50 years experience, is fully geared up for the changes which the 21st century holds in store. Properties and Auction Chattels are all marketed aggressively both via traditional media and through the internet and other emerging channels, but we are proud to maintain the element of personal service which has allowed us to grow over the last 50 years.
