Businessman Derek’s been hot property for 50 years

May 1 2008 by Samantha Mendez, Merthyr Express

HE started off with one desk and a cheeky grin, and now Derek Phillips is celebrating 50 years of business.

The estate agent from Merthyr Tydfil started up his golden business in February 1958, but there were no window displays back then.

Instead, Derek, aged 74, started off his successful business in an upstairs office between the old post office and Viazzani’s cafe on John Street.

“I qualified as a chartered estate agent in 1954 and then I had to do National Service because I’d already had a deferment for three years to do my exams in college.”

Now, 50 years on, the three-generation business has not changed hands and is completely family-run.

Derek’s son Peter is looking after the business with a little help from 19-year-old protege Scott.

“Peter was very young when I started the business, but then I gradually built it up and he came to work for me when he finished school.

“Then my grandson Scott joined us in June last year.”