Another sign of the times emerged today (18th October 2008) as BTW Cairns estate agents left Ballyhackamore, in East Belfast, for the last time, relocating its business to Holywood in County Down.

BTW Cairns estate agents came into being when Eric Cairns estate agents and BTW Shiells estate agents joined forces. The new company BTWCairns became the brand for residential sales & lettings and BTW Shiells became the brand for the commercial side of the business.

The tough economic conditions have left many businesses rationalising their businesses or downsizing in preparation for recession and the prolonged downturn in the market. Other businesses to leave the area this year include McClearys Estate Agents, who closed their Ballyhackamore office returning to Bell's Bridge, Space Real Estate leaving their Belmont Road showroom for offices at Loopland and the Halifax Property Services, due to the recent upheaval in HBOS.

However the departure of BTWCairns from Ballyhackamore came to many as a surprise and even seasoned estate agent Philip Johnston seemed stunned by the suddenness of the move, as he watched the notices go up on the former BTWCairns showroom, which is now to let by its commercial division BTWShiells.