Leading family-owned motors firm the Colin Appleyard Group has expanded its operations in Keighley by buying a Nissan dealership from the Co-operative Motor Group.

Following the acquisition for an undisclosed sum after negotiations started in October, Appleyard is planning to expand the Nissan showroom to enable more new and used cars to be displayed and enable it to introduce Nissan’s ‘Cared4’ used car programme.

The Colin Appleyard Group, which operates Suzuki dealerships in Keighley, Shipley, Huddersfield and Ashton-under-Lyne, along with a multi-franchise motorcycle dealership in Keighley, has retained 12 staff at the Nissan dealership, taking the group’s total workforce to more than 115.

Managing director Robin Appleyard said: “We are delighted to have completed this acquisition which will sit well alongside our long established Suzuki dealership in the town as well as offering customers more choice.

“It is our intention to introduce all existing Nissan customers to Colin Appleyard’s uniquely friendly and professional approach to customer service.

“It is something we pride ourselves on and the reason why many of our customers return time and time again.”

The Colin Appleyard business started more than 40 years ago and was the first UK dealer to be awarded a Suzuki franchise.

The group has been a regular recipient of customer service awards from the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Motor Trade Partnership.

Paul Young, partner at the Bradford office of Gordons solicitors, acted for Colin Appleyard on the acquisition.