Stroud Times sat down with Simon Trippett, Partner at the Property Centre.
Brought up in Amberley, Simon is a true Stroudie and was educated at Marling School. He went on to become a trained chef, working abroad for several years before becoming an estate agent.
When did you become an estate agent and why?
When I returned to Stroud from working abroad in 1998, I was ready to settle down but knew I didn’t want a 9-5 desk-based job. Estate agency offered variety, a different challenge every day – that and the promise of a company car probably helped too!
How do you feel the current property market is going as we move out of the pandemic?
The property market is the strongest I’ve ever known it. The Property Centre’s been in business for 24 years, but we’ve had our busiest ever months in 2021 and demand continues to be extremely high as we move out of lockdown.

How did the pandemic impact the housing industry?
It hit hard at first, but as a company we adapted. We started doing virtual valuations and viewings, and we invested in new technology to create interactive virtual tours. Once the first lockdown was lifted though, the market bounced back strongly and it’s been busy ever since. Lockdown gave people chance to take stock of their homes and circumstances and we’ve seen a trend among buyers for homes with bigger gardens, a home office, proximity to green space – all these things are high on buyers’ wish lists. Some adaptations have become the new norm too – zoom meetings, virtual tours, those things are just part of normal day-to-day business now
When were you at your happiest?
I’d say I’m always a happy person – definitely glass half-full, but if I were to pick my happiest moment, then it would be the birth of my two sons
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Tottenham Hotspur – I’m constantly disappointed!
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Watching Ru-Paul’s Drag Race
What is your favourite smell?
A BBQ on a summer’s evening
Who would play you in a film about your life?
Nicholas Cage
What do you like most about Stroud?
The people, the variety, the fact that it’s different from everywhere else around here
What would you improve about Stroud?
Traffic aside, part of Stroud’s charm is that it’s not perfect and never claims to be, so nothing really to change
What is your ideal weekend?
Spending it with family, with great weather and a BBQ
What is on your bucket list?
I’m lucky to have travelled a fair bit so I’ve already ticked off a few things but Alcatraz is still on there.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Work hard, but make sure you enjoy what you do
What public figures do you most admire?
I admire anyone who’s worked hard at their chosen career and built their success entirely on their own efforts.
Who is the most famous person in your phone?
Nick Ponting!!! Stroud’s very own Jeremy Clarkson.
What are your best and worst qualities?
My best qualities are my enthusiasm, drive and passion. My worst is impatience.
What are your main interests outside of work?
Spending time with my family, running, walking, anything fitness-related, cooking and supporting Gloucester Rugby and Tottenham Hotspur in the vain hope that one of them might actually win something one day
What book, song and drink would you take with you if stranded on an uninhabited island?
The drink’s an easy one – that’d be water
I love a good fact so the book would probably be complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica – that should keep me busy for a while
Music-wise, anything by AC/DC – Let there be rock is a good one. Never fails to put me in a good mood!
