11 jobs go as estate agent boss cuts back

THE credit crunch has claimed more victims in Swansea, with the loss of 11 jobs at a city estate agent.

Staff at Ashley Jones's Swansea and Morriston offices learned on Tuesday that the offices are to shut.

The company's Mumbles office will remain open with a trimmed-down staff of four.

Furious axed staff say they have been told that they will not be paid even though the company is still operating.

Company owner Howard Jones said he could not comment on the claims.

But he said: "In the current recession it was impossible to carry on the business in the size that it has been.

"I have had to take drastic measures to cut down to a size I hope will see us through."

The redundancies at Ashley Jones come just days after another estate agent, Peter Alan, announced it was to cut its workforce by an eighth, by axing 25 jobs.

Two of its branches, in Aberdare and Carmarthen, will also close by Christmas.

The latest job losses at Ashley Jones were in response to "the credit crunch, recession and consumer confidence and just lack of general activity," said Mr Jones.

He added: "This time last year I had 45 staff.

"I had already cut that down to about 15 and there will be four of us left."

Mr Jones described the redundancies as the last resort. Some of these people have been with me many years. Even a family member — I have had to say goodbye to my brother," said Mr Jones, who has been in the property business for 37 years.

He said the current situation was "the worst period I have ever experienced".

Asked about the future of the Mumbles office, he said: "I am confident the team who are now with me are all experienced and that we will be able to survive."

One worker, who was made redundant on Tuesday and did not want to be named, said staff had not been paid for the past month's work. They said: "It's a nightmare. I just feel it is so unfair. Things haven't been good, as most people know.

"He [Mr Jones] knows how hard it is.

" You would think he would show just a bit more respect to his staff."

Asked about the property market generally, he said: "There's not as much activity. I'm doing my best to survive."