One of Britain's largest estate agents has closed its office on the Clifton Triangle – the seventh business to close in the area this year.

Hamptons, in Queen's Road, blamed an "increasingly challenging market" for the closure.

Signs in the shop's window say Hamptons has closed its residential office downstairs, but has kept its land and new homes offices open on the first floor of the premises.

In a statement, the firm said: "Hamptons International has announced the decision to close its Bristol sales branch.

"With deteriorating market conditions, it is normal business practice for companies to re-evaluate and re-align their business structures accordingly.

"Like any residential agent, Hamptons International has taken combative action to help drive success in an increasingly challenging market.

"This decision has been necessary to assist with the short-, mid- and long-term success of the brand. All clients of the Bristol office have been informed of the closure and advised to seek alternative agents.

"Hamptons International continues to remain in a strong position to withstand current market conditions and take advantage of the challenges and opportunities they provide."

Closures on the Triangle this year include restaurant Le Monde, furniture store New Heights, organic food store Fresh and Wild, Triangle Casino, the Quinton House pub on Park Place and Queen's Road post office.

St Peter's Hospice shop has also closed, and will be replaced by upmarket cake shop Patisserie Valerie.