A FATHER and son are teaming up to deliver a double dose of support for people preparing to play the property game.

Nigel Naish has joined forces with his son, James, to launch a "one-stop property shop" for people selling their homes.

The union, which will become official in March, spells significant changes for the long-established Nigel Naish & Co Estate Agents, as it evolves into Naish Estate Agents & Solicitors.

After more than 30 years in the business, Nigel has encouraged his son to join him in the family firm.

The 33-year-old joined the family business in January and has since been working on a new website, signage, branding and corporate structure for the practice.

James, who trained as a surveyor, also brings with him experience as a solicitor, having spent five years as a property lawyer with a global law firm in Leeds following a few years in London.

The new firm will not be the first combined solicitor estate agency practice to open in York, but James felt that he and his father had something different to offer.

He said: "We see ourselves first and foremost as an estate agency, with the conveyancing side of the business in support. We are not a full service law firm dabbling in estate agency. Our focus is on estate agency and we will not offer any legal services except residential and commercial conveyancing advice.

"I hope we can take advantage of the goodwill and reputation which Nigel has built up over the years by offering an additional unique conveyancing service to our estate agency customers."

He added that their aim was to promote the all-in-one sale and conveyancing package to customers looking to sell their property - other estate agents cannot offer this without the necessary legal qualifications.

He said: "Other than conveyancing, both residential and commercial, we will offer no other legal services, to ensure we remain focused as an estate agency."

News of the new service has already enjoyed a warm welcome.

Nigel said: "We have tested the combined sale and conveyancing package with several potential customers and the feedback is extremely positive. The benefits in terms of convenience, time and cost are already proving to be very attractive to sellers."

James said the new job was a change from his previous work.

"It is certainly a very different culture in a small business and the decision to join was not made lightly.

"However, opportunities like this do not present themselves often and I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge so far. I am looking forward to completion of all the changes. After that, it will really feel like we have entered a new era."

Naish Estate Agents & Solicitors will continue to operate from its existing city centre premises. The website www.naishproperty.co.uk will be running from Monday.

Updated: 09:29 Friday, February 25, 2005