Estate agency plans go through

Shareholders in Countrywide have voted through an emergency £140 million fundraising plan that aims to put the embattled estate agent on a securer financial footing.

The group behind the Bairstow Eves and Hamptons brands saw more than 98 per cent of investors back the cash call at its annual meeting. It means that Countrywide will be able to stay afloat and pay down part of its £200m debt mountain.