THE SLOWDOWN in property sales has forced estate agencies to diversify into property lettings, Nama valuations and any other money-making operation to keep the show on the road.

Commercial property agent Bill Phelan of the long-established Phelan Partnership of Dawson Street has gone one step further by setting up a dating agency with his partner Jennifer Haskins.

The pair admit that they were members of an introduction agency four years ago but, when they failed to meet at that stage, they began to question why. They say that if the agency had been more thorough in profiling them they could, and should, have met. The couple have now used their experiences and those of friends and colleagues to design the business model for their new venture – Two’s Company.

The agency has so far enrolled 150 women aged between 27 and 68 but, says Phelan, they are “desperate for men in their 50s and 60s”. The membership fees are €500 for six months or €800 for a year.

Phelan acknowledges that some people are reluctant to invest in finding the right partner while at the same time putting money into cars, holidays and fashion. He didn’t mention property but his day job goes on as usual and he is currently hoping to persuade a number of overseas investors to fund the development of 15 private hospitals in Portugal at a cost of €480 million.

Details about the investment scheme can be had from his estate agency office at 01-6779446.

For more intimate investment opportunities Two’s Company is on a separate line, 1850 241 241 or twoscompany.ie.