Amateur Photographer (AP) understands that Leica’s UK office in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire will close on 31 August.
NEWS UPDATE: Official statement from Leica
Unconfirmed reports from AP sources suggest that Leica Camera Ltd, the UK division of Leica Camera AG, will continue to run its operations from its shop in Mayfair, London.
The firm is thought to employ up to 17 staff at its Milton Keynes office.
A Leica Camera Ltd spokeswoman refused to confirm or deny whether the Milton Keynes office will be shut down.
The Leica spokeswoman added: ‘We will be making a statement later this week.’
Two days ago, Apple CEO Steve Jobs compared the new iPhone to a ‘beautiful old Leica camera’.
Leica’s store in Mayfair, the company’s first in the UK, opened last year.
It is located at 34 Bruton Place, between Old Bond Street and Berkeley Square, W1.
The shop itself is situated on the ground floor. The premises also house a photographic studio and a room that is used for training, presentations and meetings.
Leica also runs its own stores in Tokyo, Berlin, Paris and Moscow.
Leica’s head office is based in Solms, Germany.
Leica Camera Ltd has stressed that its sales, admin and finance departments will not close, but will be shifted to new offices in Milton Keynes.
