Chartered Surveyor Goes Back to School – Jonathan opens office in his old Barnard Castle school

Most people leave school to go to work but for one Barnard Castle Chartered Surveyor, it’s the other way around as he sets up a new office.

Jonathan Wallis has outgrown his previous office and moved his firm, Jonathan Wallis Chartered Surveyors into his old infants’ school at Startforth. The school coincidently also houses Kirklands Nursery where he was a pupil shortly after it first opened more than thirty years ago.

The move to his new premises allows Jonathan to practice in a quiet, rural setting that his clients enjoy visiting.

He said:

“It’s very quirky going to work in my old school building. It holds lots of good memories for me and I find that very conducive to efficient working. I provide advice on rural and specialist commercial property to my clients so in effect, I’m practising what I preach.”

From professional property valuations to advice on landlord and tenant matters and troubleshooting for development agencies, Jonathan has a wealth of knowledge and experience built up within his own business over the past two years and prior to that more than a decade working as a partner at one of the region’s biggest estate agencies.

His new office is situated on the site of the old school library which later became the music room and Jonathan has vivid memories of watching schools’ TV in the room.

Jonathan remembers:

“We used to sit on the floor crossed legged and watch the TV which was a massive wooden cabinet on wheels and I remember seeing programmes about people’s careers and thinking ‘what will I do when I leave school?’ It’s funny that I’m back in that very same room running a successful business helping people make the right decisions with regards to property and land ownership.”

Jonathan has recently been joined by PA and Property Manager, Helen Pressley whose mother was a teacher when Jonathan was at the school. Like Jonathan, Helen is from farming stock and is Barnard Castle born and bred.

Jonathan said:

“Helen brings a new dimension to the business, she’s well respected in the farming community and has a good knowledge of issues concerning our local environment and area. It’s great working with Helen in the school but sadly for us and happily for our clients we don’t benefit from the long summer holidays.”