Estate agents hit by recession

LEEDS has been the worst hit city for the number of estate agents closing down as a result of the crash in the property sector, new research has revealed.

Research carried out by The Local Data Company across the UK’s top 10 cities during the 12 months to October revealed that 142 outlets (15.8%) shut across the UK.

Chains of five units or more were worst hit, losing 54 outlets (16.8%), compared to 89 independents (15.2%).
 
Leeds was the worst hit with 26% of outlets closing, Bristol, Liverpool, London and Glasgow all followed with 16%.
 
Looking at the chains based on figures for the whole country, Halifax was the biggest casualty shutting 30.6% of itsbranches, going from 147 to 102.