Last updated 19:50, Thursday, 07 August 2008

CUMBRIAN Properties has taken over Smeatons’ Workington estate agency branch.

A formal announcement by Smeatons says: “Due to the current credit and mortgage crisis, which has led to a drastic reduction of transactions in the housing market, Smea-tons... has decided it is not possible to sustain the whole of its operation.

“From August 1, our Workington office [on Murray Road], complete with staff and Nationwide Building Society agency, has been transferred to Aidan and Jayne Lillington, trading as Cumbrian Properties.”

It was revealed last week that Smeatons was closing its Maryport branch, although properties would continue to be advertised in the premises’ window.

The statement adds: “The marketing of properties will be concentrated in our Main Street, Cockermouth and Keswick offices.”

Owner Bob Smeaton has been an estate agent for 30 years. He said sales had dropped by about 80 per cent for the first half of 2008.