Posted on Wednesday 30th July 2025
Sammy and Sarah Dyche, founders of Open House Estate Agents based at Waterside Court in Burton.
A family-run estate agency, based at Staffordshire County Council’s Waterside Court Enterprise Centre in Burton, has won gold at the prestigious British Property Awards.
Open House Burton and Swadlincote, led by wife-and-husband duo Sarah and Sammy Dyche, received national recognition for outstanding customer service, securing the top award in a highly competitive field.
Known locally for their bright pink sales boards and customer-first approach, the pair launched Open House in 2022 with one goal: to deliver a better, more responsive experience for home movers.
Their commitment has paid off, with 99% of customers awarding the business five stars.
Sarah said:
“It is great to have all our hard work recognised. Starting any business is hard but, for us in estate agency, there is a lot of local competition, so we are very proud to have got to this point.”
Unlike traditional agencies, Open House’s journey didn’t begin on the high street - it began at home.
The couple first operated from their living room before moving to a garden office but, as their business expanded and staff were brought on board, they needed a more professional environment.
In 2023, the pair moved into Gretton House at Waterside Court, which is part of a network of eight enterprise centres run by Staffordshire County Council to support local start-ups and small businesses with affordable, flexible workspace and professional facilities.
Sarah said:
“The location is great and the office sizes are perfect for us. The fact that you are not tied into a lengthy lease was a big thing for us as we didn't know if it would work or not.
“It is also good for when clients want to come into the office as it is a professional environment and helps our image.”
Since relocating to the enterprise centre, Open House has supported hundreds of families, grown its team and achieved the fastest average time to secure a buyer in the Burton and Swadlincote area - just 31 days.
They’ve also expanded into the Ashby area, taking their award-winning service across three counties.
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:
“It’s fantastic to see Open House Burton and Swadlincote flourish at one of our enterprise centres.
“Staffordshire really is the beating heart for new business and this award is a great example of how flexible, well-supported spaces like Waterside Court are helping entrepreneurs grow, create jobs and provide vital services to our communities.”
To find out more or book workspace at one of Staffordshire County Council’s enterprise centres, visit Business and Enterprise Centres - Staffordshire County Council.