Jobs lost as estate agents close

Sixty jobs are being lost with the closure of three estate agent offices after Midlands firm Barbers was placed into administration.

Shops in Newport, Stafford and Telford will be closed.

But remaining offices in Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Wellington and Whitchurch will stay open while a buyer for the business is found.

Administrators said Barbers was hit by the "worst conditions facing the property sector in more than 20 years".

'Variety of services'

John Kelly, Partner at Begbies Traynor's Birmingham office, said: "The company operates a variety of services so, despite the current economic outlook, we are seeking to achieve a sale of the business as soon as possible.

"In particular, Barbers has a significant lettings business which is in high demand as all agents seek ways of providing regular income in this post-credit crunch environment."

Barbers Auctions LLP, which runs the Market Drayton livestock market, is a separate legal entity and is not affected.

The business was started in 1848 but the administrators said the firm had undergone a significant expansion shortly before the economic downturn.