18 October 2005

Foxtons, the high quality property provider, and Multimap, Europe's leading online mapping provider, announced the implementation of Multimap's XML Portal service on www.foxtons.co.uk today at the PCS Expo, 2005, London. Thanks to the service, property hunters can view properties fitting their search criteria on interactive maps and, to access top-line information about a property of interest, they simply have to click on the relevant icon on the map. They may also opt to view local schools and transport links, or even an aerial photograph of the area. The new service is designed to make property-searching as easy and quick as possible for customers.

Leo Lapworth, Senior Web Developer, Foxtons, said, "We are thrilled with the addition of Multimap's XML Portal service. It's reliable and accurate, and our customers tell us that it makes the formidable task of property-hunting significantly easier. To be able to visualise the location of multiple properties at a glance, and to view the basic information not only about the property itself, but about the facilities located around it, is an invaluable tool for our customers. Our aim is to make their experience on the site as positive as possible, and to be an innovator in the property sector. With Multimap's cartographic excellence, robust infrastructure and flexible services behind us, we are more than happy that we are delivering on our promises!"

Visitors to www.foxtons.co.uk input search criteria, e.g., maximum price, number of bedrooms, and area/ street and postcode, to access a list of the top ten or more most suitable properties, along with basic information on the properties. Users can view a map with icons pinpointing the exact whereabouts of these properties by clicking on the "Map these 10 properties" tab. They can mouse over an item of interest to view basic property information, or click through for more detail. Alternatively, to view a map with all the properties fitting the criteria entered, and not just the top ten most suitable ones, they select the "Map all these properties" tab. They can also select to view local schools and transport links in the area on this page, in addition to an aerial photograph of the area.

Steve Frost, head of sales for Europe, said, "Multimap provides online mapping services to in excess of 850 business clients across the globe, many of which are in the property sector. They tell us that our services are the perfect complement to their offering, location being, after all, the most important deciding factor when it comes to choosing a property. We are delighted to be working with Foxtons to help its customers make quick, informed decisions about the suitability of properties."

About Multimap

Multimap is Europe's leading provider of mapping and location-based services. The company delivers more online maps, point-to-point driving directions and geo-spatial ("where's my nearest?") searches to more companies than any other supplier in Europe. All services are offered on mobile, PDA, kiosk, and interactive TV platforms and in multiple languages.

The public website, www.multimap.com, provides a range of free, useful services to assist with everyday life. Key features include street-level maps of Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia; road maps of the world; door-to-door travel directions; aerial photographs; links to location information; and services such as hotel, restaurant and entertainment booking. The public site attracts over 10 million unique users, registers more than 160 million page impressions every month, and is one of the top 10 most visited websites in the UK. Multimap recently featured in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table of fastest-growing unquoted UK companies across all sectors, as well as in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 league of fastest-growing unquoted UK technology companies for the third year running.

About Foxtons

Foxtons is a young company, founded in 1981 with a two-person agency in Notting Hill. Twenty three years on we are proud to be London's leading property services company. Innovation is key to every area of our business which is built on exceeding clients' expectations. Our longer opening hours and 'café-style' high street offices buck industry trends and offer professional service on a more friendly level.

Our business is the sale and letting of quality property. We understand the unique pressures of living in this busy, vibrant capital and are committed to delivering results. Everything we do says something about the type of company we are - from the quality of our publications to the enthusiasm of our staff.

We are operating within the most lucrative property market in the UK, if not the world. This year Foxtons successfully opened café-style offices in Sloane Square, Muswell Hill and Shoreditch and added a further seven Surrey operations to the existing portfolio. This, combined with the continued refurbishment of existing offices to the renowned café-style throughout 2005, continues the ambitious and on-going expansion of Foxtons.