The history.........

ABOUT US

Founded by John London in 2019 Bruff Cooper Limited are an independent Estate Agent located in the iconic Connaught Avenue, Frinton-On-Sea.

The business name was inspired by two former engineers from the early 1900's. Sir Richard Copper and Peter Bruff

Bruff is regarded by some as the Richard Branson of the 19th Century for the work he did in Clacton, which was virtually non-existent when he arrived. 

Upon his arrival in 1864, Bruff made a private deal to buy 50 acres, the central part of the Clacton, for around £10,000. 

The land concerned centred on the area each side of the Pier and back as far as Rosemary Lane. 

In approximately 1870, work began on the seaside resort of Clacton-on-Sea. 

The Times in 1871 wrote "That being an entirely new creation and not the adaptation of an existing town, none of the evils inseparable from the old watering holes will be allowed to exist in it. 

His later constructions in the town included: the Royal Hotel in 1872, a public hall in Pier Avenue, which was destroyed by a fire in 1939, and the creation of the town centre. 

There is now a hospital ward and a residential road, both named in Bruff's memory.

Sir Richard Powell Cooper, 1st Baronet (21 September 1847 – 30 July 1913) was a British industrial entrepreneur. He was a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and inherited the family business, an agricultural chemical manufacturing company. Following his success, he was made a baronet for services to industry.

Richard Cooper was a nephew of William Cooper, an agricultural veterinary surgeon who established the firm of Cooper and Nephews at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire in 1852. 

The company manufactured chemicals and exported pedigree live stock, and found success when it developed and manufactured the first effective sheep dip. Cooper's Dip was a highly successful venture and was exported worldwide. Upon the death of William in 1885, Richard inherited the business from his uncle.

Richard lived at Shenstone Court, Staffordshire, and was High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1901 and Deputy Lieutenant of that county. In 1905 he was created 1st Baronet Cooper of Shenstone Court by King Edward VII.

In the 1890s, he invested his wealth in developing the town of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, as a high-class seaside resort.