Aberdeenshire letting and estate agency Stonehouse has agreed a new partnership deal with Aberdeen Football Club.

Stonehouse, which currently employs 37 people at its Riverside Drive head office in Aberdeen and at its Kenmay office, is expanding into sales, and sees its new 15-month premier partnership deal with the Scottish Premiership football club as a good way to promote its services.

The Stonehouse agreement, described by the agency as “the highest tier partnership” with Aberdeen FC, sees it become the only lettings agent permitted to advertise properties on the club’s micro website.

Stonehouse, in association with DJ Alexander, are part of the Lomond Group which is the largest lettings and estate agency in Scotland.

The firm manages more than 1,800 properties in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas, and tenants are offered packages including a reduced deposit scheme, and 24/7 maintenance support.

Aileen Merchant, the company’s managing director, said: “Our new partnership deal with Aberdeen FC reflects our continued commitment to investment in Aberdeen and the wider community.

“We want to show our determination to be part of the future growth and expansion of the city of Aberdeen and the surrounding areas and will be working closely with the landlords and tenants we have served for many years as well as attracting new clients.

“Our expansion into sales has been driven by demand from sellers and buyers and we are delighted to be able to offer this as part of a greater range of services in the future.”

“The recent increases in oil and gas prices has resulted in a substantial upturn in the lettings and sales market in Aberdeen.

“Our firm has had its busiest business period in years over the last six months, and I believe that this will continue to increase over the coming year as landlords and investors recognise the current and potential future value of the lettings market in Aberdeen.

“A market indicator of this change is the considerable reduction in the time taken to let or to sell property which has occurred this year and we believe that this will continue to shorten as the local economy recovers and the market accelerates to keep up with demand.”

She added: “Our new site goes live on May 18 and we have adjusted our colour scheme to red to reflect our partnership with Aberdeen FC and our connection with DJ Alexander.

“We welcome all of our existing clients, and new ones, to take a look at our services, to engage with our skilled and friendly staff, and to continue to benefit from a first-class firm, serving a first-class clientele for the last 28 years.”

Andrew Seldon, the chief executive of Stonehouse, commented: “This is an exciting development for our company.

“I believe that in the coming years we will see the firm expand substantially as landlords, property investors, tenants, homebuyers, and sellers, welcome the growing range of services we offer and the quality of delivery we provide.

“Our partnership with Aberdeen FC is a new beginning for our firm as we continue to invest and develop our services in the years to come.”