Welcome to Hunters Estate Agents and Letting Agents Astley Bridge

Hunters Estate Agents and Letting Agents Astley Bridge are part of the fastest growing estate agency network nationwide. This gives all our customers confidence knowing they can instruct us as their local branch, who have a hard working team and owners who combine their expert local knowledge of the area, with the support of a national company who are always adapting their resources to provide the highest quality marketing, latest industry technology changes and a first class training academy which encourages all staff members to work towards important industry qualifications and the necessary skills required to deliver the first class service you expect.

Karen Helmn and Karl Baxter are the franchise owners at Astley Bridge and both have a combined experience of over 45 years in the industry. They also have highly successful teams at Hunters Darwen & Hunters Blackburn, all of which are thriving from the Hunters network.

VAT Reg No: 872 1369 16 | Registered No: 8986836 | Registered Office: 2017-209 Duckworth Street, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 1AU.
A Hunters franchise owned and operated under licence by Baxter Helmn Estate Limited.

Location map

Meet the team

Karl Baxter

Managing Director

Karl, Co-Founder & Managing Director started the business in 1998. The business became part of the Hunters network in 2014 and has since moved on to be the clear market leader in Darwen and a fast growing business in Blackburn and Bolton. Karl has 27 years in the Estate Agency and has vast knowledge of all aspects of the industry. As a landlord himself, Karl understands the very essence of what clients’ needs are when it comes to lettings and sales. He specialises in helping clients build successful property portfolios from purchase, renovation through to our comprehensive management service. Karl has lived and worked in Darwen for 25 years.
Karen Helmn

Sales Director

Karen, Company Director and Co-Founded the business with Karl in 1998. Karen feels being customer focused is the most important contributor to the continued and rapid success of the business and ensuring that all aspects of the company put its customers’ satisfaction first. Karen has an unrivalled knowledge of the Darwen market and should be everyone’s first point of contact when thinking of selling their home in the town.
Matthew Allen

Valuer

Matt joined the Hunters team 7 years ago and has been a big part of the companies’ success. He has a vast knowledge of the local market and carries out valuations across Darwen, Blackburn & Bolton. Matt is also responsible for the outstanding photography and innovative virtual tours on our properties. He has an excellent eye for detail and can market and showcase properties to a different level.
Leah Barry

Sales Negotiator

Leah joined the Hunters team 3 years ago after successfully completing her A- levels, choosing a career in our fast moving industry ahead of university. Leah has rapidly expanded her knowledge of the Industry, regularly attending the Hunters Academy Training courses and extending her industry qualifications. As a Sales Negotiator she particularly enjoys the relationship building with vendors and purchasers, knowing the importance of communication and is relentless in her approach to Sales Progression.
Linda Lambert

Sales Negotiator

Linda has been part of the team for 10 years. Linda loves the variety the job brings and meeting new people. She has an excellent rapport with our clients, making time to listens to their needs in detail. Linda has a great enthusiasm for helping clients find that special home.
Maxine O'Hare

Property Viewer & Sales Negotiator

Maxine’s passion for the property industry has led her to joining the Hunters team in 2017. Max carries out the viewings across Darwen, Blackburn & Bolton. Her many years of experience in the customer service industry shine through to potential buyers and tenants.
Jeanette Hall

Senior Lettings Negotiator

Jeanette has been here from the very beginning and is the backbone of the office. Jeanette over sees the administrative work of the Lettings team and is just about as organized an individual as you will find, we think she invented the phrase ‘dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s’. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry in both sales and lettings she has a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of Estate Agency.
Joe Riley

Letting Negotiator

Joining Hunters in 2015, Joe also made the decision after successful completion of A-levels to forge a career in the Estate Agency. Joe strives to provide the highest level of service for property owners as well as tenants. Friendly and professional, Joe is focused and competent dealing with the full let process from the start to the finish His comprehensive knowledge, from advising landlords on how to achieve the best rent through to choosing the right tenants and all aspects of managing a property once let. Joe is renowned for his excellent customer service and tops the national network for service standards.
Samantha Wright

Lettings Negotiator

Samantha was thrilled to join our award-winning lettings team at Hunters where she enjoys the fast-paced environment of a thriving office. Sam has many years of experience in the customer service industry and has transferred this skill set to the Hunters team to the great benefit of our clients. Sam is a natural for the Lettings industry and knows the early bird catches the worm and is usually the first person in attending to client’s issues.
Natalie Dearden

Lettings Negotiator

Natalie joined the team 8 years ago and started in Sales but moved over to the Lettings team. Natalie’s varied roles in the company mean she has the skill set to carry out a variety of responsibilities including inventories, property inspections, viewings and property management.
Kevin McGrath

Lettings Inventory & Property Inspector

Kevin joined the Hunters team in 2018 after taking early retirement from his post as a senior manager at a Housing Association managing a portfolio of 3000 homes. Our Lettings team are very lucky to gain the vast experience Kevin brings with him.
Ellie Baxter

Property Valuer

Ellie is our weekend viewer. She is currently studying A-Levels and brings her youth and enthusiasm to the Hunters team. Ellie is already developing a passion for the property industry, which reflects in her work.