9 St James Street, next door to the derelict shell of Star Utilities which is such a blight on the neighbourhood, is Star Mortgage & Property Services. (I wonder if they are related.) Star Mortage & Property Services is a rather shabby looking privately owned ‘independent estate agency’ which claims in its literature to be providing a high standard of service in all aspects of residential sales and lettings. The exterior suggests it’s a bit of a bucket shop, (though a recent lick of black paint helped a bit) and in fact in the window today there was only one property for sale, the rest, and there were not many of them, being low end rentals.

In their mission statement, the firm announces that “We believe it is essential that we communicate effectively with our clients and purchasers keeping them up-to-date with progress, discussing issues, conveying feedback and offering informed professional advice. We minimise tiresome administration…”

So much have they minimised the administration that although they advertise on their company stationary that they a have a website, (www.starestate.co.uk), a few clicks on the internet will reveal the sad truth that it is a website only in the sense that the name is registered. Otherwise, one's clicking ends up in the announcement on UKReg.com that “If this "domain holding" page is displayed when you visit Starestate.co.uk because the owner has registered the domain name with UKreg, but has not yet created a website.”

Despite this, Star Mortage & Property Services claim that “We are dedicated to providing a first class service and wish to retain our position as the area’s premier independent estate agency”. It seems they haven’t had a look at their competition recently, such as in Hoe Street, or a hundred yards away at 39-41 High Street. Their boasts involve claims to be able to act as Property Developers, Land 'Aquirers', Construction and Management.

Hours of business are: Mon-Fri 10am-6.00pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Tel 0208 520 0139.

Their nearby rivals would be Madisons Estate Agents and Elite Property Services. One of the directors of this firm is the contraversial Mr Liaquat Ali, recently entrusted with the education of our local children.

Cllr Ali was last year prosecuted for taking his daughter on a pilgrimage without permission while serving as mayor. I do wonder about his own educational background.

[Updated 26 May 2009]