WIRRAL commercial and residential property agency Smith & Sons is looking to expand after a “positive” trading year in 2009.

The company’s residential property management arm, with a portfolio of around 2,500 properties throughout the North West, has shown its strongest performance to date.

With every property let and managed through Smith & Sons, the company is now looking to expand and take on additional properties within Merseyside and surrounding areas.

The company is also looking to build its commercial property arm following a series of contract agreements secured during 2009.

It clinched deals with firms including Cammell Laird, Crowders and Travelodge, all of whom have enjoyed expansion after relocating and acquiring new commercial premises.

The firm also held five auctions during 2009, with results reflecting the tumultuous property market.

The latter half of the year saw buyers slowly beginning to show signs of confidence following the impact of the recession.

Over £7m of sales were secured during the year, a figure which the team hopes to improve on in 2010, with an auction to take place at the beginning of February. Chris Johnson, partner at Smith & Sons, said: “Despite the difficult year that was 2009, Smith & Sons has maintained a steady flow of varied work within the company’s long established operational areas.

“We have laid the foundations for some exciting projects and collaborations for 2010, and look forward to developing and finalising these during the first quarter of the year.”