225-year-old estate agency shuts up shop without warning

An historic estate agency which has been trading since 1785 has closed in Bath without any prior notice. Pritchards Estate Agents has specialised in prime property in and around Bath and is based on Quiet Street in the city centre. It is run by managing director Michael Hughes, who has headed-up the company since at least the early noughties. Despite being the oldest independent estate agency in Bath, its single branch has now shut up shop and the company’s sales telephone line rings straight to an answering machine which reveals the agency has ceased trading, while its lettings line goes unanswered. As well as Hughes, four further members of staff are believed to be affected by the business’s demise including an office manager, two administrators and a senior negotiator. Recent accounts The company behind the agency, Pritchard & Partners Ltd, appears to have been trading normally until now and published its most recent accounts in November. Records show the company owns its high street premises without a mortgage. Pritchards’ website is still live, saying that: “We are the premier choice for those seeking to buy, sell, let or rent property in the city. “With an unrivalled wealth of experience to…

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