Great sadness at death of Whitby estate agent

YORKSHIRE’S property community has been saddened by the sudden death of well-known Whitby estate agent Edward Astin.

Known as Eddie to his friends and family, he was found at his home at Spital Bridge on Sunday. An inquest has been opened into his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.

He had many friends and colleagues but those who didn’t know him personally will be familiar with his eponymous agency, Edward G. Astin and Associates, whose Astin’s For Sale boards dominate Yorkshire’s most fashionable coastal town.

A hard-working perfectionist, Edward, 59, started his business from scratch in 1992 and grew it into a hugely successful company that diversified into everything from lettings and holiday lets to development and planning consultation. There is no doubt that he made a great contribution to Whitby’s remarkable renaissance.

Although the father-of-three became one of the town’s great characters with an in-depth knowledge of the area, he hailed from West Yorkshire and arrived in Whitby in 1980 soon after qualifying as a chartered surveyor. He worked for GA Suffield and Co. before setting up his own agency.

He grew to love Whitby and said: “I have never looked back, such is the nature of the town, its people and its heritage. Everyone who has been involved in helping me to achieve our status in the town should be justifiably proud of their contribution in making Astin’s ‘The Name that says Property in Whitby’.”