Described as a “meet and greet” outlet, the office will be located in Bathurst Chase shopping centre off William Street.

Experienced real estate agents James and Toni Thompson, formally of The Professionals, will be joined at the new office by ex-Ray White Bathurst agent Mark Sullivan.

The office will be in a 140 square metre tenancy near the Coles supermarket.

Mr Thompson said McGrath had taken out a licence for a suite in the shopping centre with a view to a long-term arrangement with the site’s owner, Sentinel Property Group.

With almost 30 years of experience in real estate in Bathurst, he said the new agency would “break from the tradition real estate office”.

“It’s very much a meet and greet location with no on-site administration,” Mr Thompson said.

“There are thousands of people every day coming to Bathurst Chase and doing their shopping at the Coles supermarket.

“This is an opportunity for us to connect better with people in a casual atmosphere and to change the perception of a real estate agent.

“Over the years the customer has changed, but most real estate agencies have stayed the same. This model is new and exciting.”

Mr Thompson said he wants people to feel like they can come in and relax and chat and there will also be an on-site coffee kiosk.

“There will be no hard sell,” he said.

The McGrath website said there was currently a network of  95 offices throughout the east coast of Australia, including NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Victoria.

Sentinel Property Group leasing executive Tyson Whitewood said he was excited to be offering the centre’s patrons something new

“[We] are excited to be creating something new by servicing patrons to our centre in a different way to other retail offerings in Bathurst, and McGrath fits this transition perfectly,” he said.