FARDELLA & BELL: From Burnley’s best to the North West’s finest

Back in September, we shared the news that Fardella and Bell had been named the Gold Winner for Burnley by the British Property Awards. It was a proud moment and a validation of our service in our hometown.

But unbeknownst to us, the test wasn’t over.

The British Property Awards don’t just stop at the town border. Once the local winners are announced, the judging criteria widen, the scrutiny deepens and the playing field expands.

We are now incredibly proud to reveal that Fardella & Bell has brought the big one home as we are the 2025 Regional Gold Winner for the North West (Cumbria & Lancashire).

It is easy to look at a gold logo and assume it’s just a shiny badge for the window. But for a small independent agency like ours, this award represents something much grittier.

The last 12 months haven’t been a victory lap, moreso it has been a test of endurance. We often say that awards like this aren’t won on your best day as anyone can be charming when the sun is shining and sales are easy.

Real standards are set on the busy days. The stressful days. The days where the team looks at each other and asks, "How are we still standing?"

Winning the Regional Gold required maintaining those standards 365 days a year. It meant treating a mystery shopper with the same care and attention as a lifelong client, even when the office was hectic. It meant there were no shortcuts, even when taking one would have been easier.

But, this isn't a popularity contest. The British Property Awards are famous for their "Secret Shopper" methodology. After winning Burnley, we entered a new pool of judging against the best agents in the North West.

The judging panel scrutinised us on a forensic level, analysing data sets that most people never see:

Fall-through rates, so did our deals stick?

Time on market, so did we move properties efficiently?

Was our photography and marketing up to scratch?

They acknowledged that different markets move at different speeds, especially the high-end spaces we often operate in, but the data had to show consistency.

After a final round of intense mystery shopping, Fardella & Bell was shortlisted and eventually named the clear winner for the region.

Yes, we are a Small Agency, but Big Standards!

To hold the title for Burnley was an honour, but to hold the title for the entire North West (covering both Lancashire and Cumbria) is a statement.

It proves that you don’t need to be a corporate giant to set the industry standard. You just need a team that takes pride in the graft, refuses to cut corners and turns up ready to perform....even on the tough days!