partner, Mrs. Jonelle White-Smith. She explained yesterday that family commitments for her and for her partner, Ms Jenny Gibbons, has forced the separation.

Ms Gibbons will continue to work on a part-time basis out of the current Commerce Building office in rentals and commercial real estate management, while Mrs. White-Smith, who was just recently married, will move to new offices at 56 Reid Street where she will continue with listings and sales.

Mrs. White-Smith said: "We had operated the office together for two years and we were very successful. We had a good thing going.'' She said the office had been winding down for six weeks as family priorities took preference.

She will spend time organising the new office and says she won't expect to get back into the hectic real estate life full time until the end of summer.