Cluttons, the property consultants, are poised to close their residential sales business in Kent with the loss of up to eight jobs.

The housing slump, which has already cost many estate agency jobs across the county, has made the global company review its south east operations.

Cluttons is a major player in commercial property and land development, and works with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), as well as Kent County Council and Locate in Kent on the annual Kent Property Market Report.

With the financial squeeze decimating house sales, it is understood Cluttons’ residential agency operations in Watling Street, Canterbury, and Albion Place, Maidstone, are to close, along with similar businesses across the south east. The company is retaining its London-based estate agency activities and its major presence in commercial property and development.

Several Kent-based staff have been through a consultation exercise and a number have already left the company. Others are expected to leave by the end of the month, (Jan) making a total of around eight jobs losses.

David Elliott, a partner at the Maidstone office, confirmed a staff consultation exercise was under way.

"It is a reflection of the economic situation," he said. "In common with other estate agencies, everyone is looking at their cost base. We are just reacting to the financial situation."