Shrewsbury-based Barbers Property Agents have called in Begbies Traynor to act as administrators to the 160 year-old firm.
Barbers, one of the largest firms of independent chartered surveyors and estate agents covering Shropshire, Staffordshire and the Cheshire borders, has made 60 of its 100 staff redundant and has closed its offices in Newport, Stafford and Telford.
Founded in 1848, the residential, rural and commercial specialist had undertaken a significant growth programme prior to the current economic slowdown which started last August. Nearly 100 staff were based in seven locations.
John Kelly, partner at Begbies Traynor’s Birmingham office, and joint administrator with John Lowe, said: “It has been necessary to make 60 redundancies and close the offices in Newport, Stafford and Telford.
“It will be business as usual at the remaining locations at Market Drayton, Wellington, Whitchurch and the head office in Shrewsbury while a buyer is found.”
Kelly confirmed a sale of the business is required “as soon as possible”.
Sister company Barbers Auctions, which runs the Market Drayton Livestock market, is a separate legal entity and is not affected.
