The Lancaster branch of Halifax Estate Agents (HEA) will close in September following the company's decision to shut a quarter of its offices nationwide.
The New Street branch will close officially on September 24, and staff are still in shock about the news.
Clare Jessop, branch estate agency partner, said: "We are currently contacting our customers individually to advise them of the closure and t
o give them a chance to transfer to another agent.
"The news is completely out of the blue, and we're all still a bit shocked.
"The closure is a direct result of the problems in the housing market at the moment; however, we're still selling houses in the area.
"A lot of the staff have been here since we opened 19 years ago, but it is hoped that we will be posted in other roles within the Halifax group."
It is understood that the Morecambe branch in the Arndale Centre will also close, although the Carnforth branch in Market Street, which has the biggest market presence in the area, will remain open and is set to expand to cover areas between the north of Lancaster city centre and the south of Kendal.
An HEA spokesperson said: "HEA will focus on its core markets in the Midlands and the North. Following these changes, HEA will close 53 branches by the end of the year and will then operate 151 branches in its core regions.
The changes also reflect the significant decline in the level of housing transactions in the last 12 months.
The majority of staff working in branches that are closing will be offered a similar role in retail bank branches.
Around 450 staff are expected to transfer to a new role over the next four months. It is expected that up to 100 will leave HEA. The aim is to achieve this through voluntary severance and normal turnover. The changes will take place over the next four months.
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