An agent has closed suddenly, prompting an investigation.

Two offices trading as Goodchilds,  in Tamworth and Atherstone in Warwickshire, were operated as a franchise by Christian Hipkiss.

Goodchilds itself was acquired a few weeks ago and now forms part of Newton Fallowell, owned by parent company Belvoir network.

Goodchilds head office is said to have made repeated, but unsuccessful, attempts to access the Hipkiss business.

The closure is said to have affected over 100 people.

A spokesperson for Goodchilds told EYE last night that the business “operated under a franchise agreement between Goodchilds and independent owner / operator Christian Ian Hipkiss, along with Kelly Hipkiss and Carla Smart, [and] has closed.

“The affairs of the business are now being investigated since we have been led to believe that on Monday, 30 November, Mr Hipkiss went into voluntary liquidation without any prior notification.

“Despite being given assurances by Mr Hipkiss that all files and documentation would be handed back, this has not yet happened.

“Furthermore, repeated requests by the franchisor, over the past two weeks, to gain access to Mr Hipkiss’s business to carry out standard auditing procedures, have consistently been refused – raising cause for concern.

“We have now secured a meeting with Mr Hipkiss in order to resolve all transfer issues in the correct and required manner.

“In the meantime an experienced head office team of property professionals is attempting to contact all of the Tamworth agency’s landlord and tenant clients to offer advice and guidance.

“We wish to stress that 125 rental deposits taken by the office are safeguarded and protected under a fully accredited tenancy deposit scheme.”

Goodchilds has set up a helpline for any landlord or tenant enquiries – 01902 267119 or email headoffice@goodchilds-uk.com.”