Crossword Genius

Long time with northern Conservative getting unknown sales interests (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

agency

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'sales interests' is the definition.
(an agency might sell things)

'long time with northern conservative getting unknown' is the wordplay.
'long time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'northern conservative' becomes 'nc' (this might be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'getting' says to put letters next to each other.
'unknown' becomes 'y' (algebra).
'age'+'nc'+'y'='AGENCY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for agency that I've seen before include "Administrative unit" , "Instrumentality, operation" , "Employment bureau" , "Recruitment bureau" , "Office or business of one who does business for others" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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