A UK law firm which had six offices has collapsed into administration after the “anticipated sale” fell through. BLB Solicitors, which has bases in Trowbridge, Bath, Bristol, Bradford on Avon, Swindon and Almondsbury, employing 85 across its locations has written to clients saying the move is due to an “anticipated sale of the business being withdrawn at short notice”.

A letter sent by the firm to clients on Tuesday read: “We would strongly recommend that you instruct another firm of solicitors to continue to act on your behalf.” Companies House records show that five directors resigned from the firm within a three‑day period, between March 30 and April 1. The company later appeared in the London Gazette’s insolvency notices on April 13, the official public register for announcing bankruptcies and liquidations.

In the letter sent to clients, BLB attributed the sudden closure to the “anticipated sale of the business being withdrawn at short notice”.

The letter read: “Please rest assured we are already in the process of putting your file and documents together to ensure a swift and smooth transfer.

“We are actively engaging with other interested parties and, should a sale be agreed enabling the firm to continue to act for you, we will update you immediately.

“We appreciate this is likely to create additional stress, for which we sincerely apologise.”

The decision has left the clients “stunned”. Rob Clark, who is in the process of buying a house in Trowbridge, was “absolutely gutted”.

He told BBC: “I haven’t got a clue at the moment.” He said that the firm has not responded to his calls yet.

He said: “It’s the lack of information from them. It wasn’t even them that contacted me, it was my agent. I’m very surprised, I wouldn’t believe a company that big could go under so quickly.”