The firm of chartered surveyors RH and RW Clutton has stressed that it is unconnected to the re-structuring at Cluttons.

Cluttons has been bought out of administration in a pre-pack deal by turnaround firm RCapital and will be closing three of its London offices, after being weighed down by the cost of its pension scheme.

The Pension Protection Fund is taking “normal steps to investigate the circumstances behind this”. It is understood that some 300 members of the Cluttons pension scheme could face cuts to their income when they retire.

Clutons has also cited “difficult trading conditions”, but maintains it is a “strong, profitable and well-run business”.

RH and RW Cluttons have put out a statement underlining that the business is “unaffected by the current situation affecting Cluttons”.

George Back, senior partner said: “Our firm is not connected with Cluttons, other than through history. RH & RW Clutton was established in 1743 and is probably the oldest surviving firm of independent chartered surveyors.

“In 1837 one of the firm’s partners, John Clutton, left for London to set up Cluttons before separating the business from RH & RW Clutton entirely in 1851.

“RH & RW Clutton remains a thriving independent firm of land agents, chartered surveyors and estate agents, with offices in East Grinstead, Guildford and Petworth.

“We are continuing to invest to better support our clients, and our new office in Petworth and the expansion of both our residential and commercial agencies by bringing on board a local commercial property firm in East Grinstead have helped to strengthen our position in the market.

“The firm remains the original representation of the Clutton name and we are proud of our continuing reputation for unrivalled professional property advice.”