Edge Ellison's Leicester operation faces closure

The future of Edge Ellison's Leicester office is hanging in the balance.

The office's 80 staff, including eight partners, are waiting for the results of a review being carried out by the firm's Birmingham office on whether it is financially viable to have two bases in the Midlands.

Edge Ellison recently carried out a profitability review of fee and non-fee earning issues. In April, profits per partner were £150,000 compared to £250,000 at rival Pinsent Curtis.

The firm's managing partner James Retallack denies that the decision to assess the office is the result of any difficulties at the firm.

He says: "The office is incredibly successful and it is filled with good people and has some great clients. But it is no big secret that most of the major accountants, for example, have moved out of the city so we are also considering prospects for growth in the city.

"There are two schools of thought - whether to continue to invest or whether to consolidate our Midlands resources in Birmingham.

"We have not made a decision to close the office, but we are currently reviewing our options to go forward. It is part of an ongoing process of deciding what we invest in various parts of our business."