YORKSHIRE’S biggest residential letting agent is extending its services into the Aire Valley for the first time after the acquisition of another agent.

Linley & Simpson has launched its latest branch – its tenth – in Saltaire after taking over the sales and letting business of Move2.

The office, based on Bingley Road, will now become the first in the independent company’s network to offer a house sales service in addition to a rental one.

Director Will Linley said: “With its thriving rental market, the Aire Valley has been at the heart of our planned expansion for some time and we are delighted to complete this deal.

“The new office will cover an area that includes Shipley, Bingley and Baildon and fills a geographical gap that had existed in our network of neighbouring offices, including Ilkley.

“We bring to the area more than 15 years’ experience of the medium-to-upper end of the rental sector, helping landlords to find more than 30,000 tenants for their properties in that time.”

He added: “The office will also act as the launchpad for our new service helping people to buy and sell homes, as well as rent one. We plan to phase in this extra dimension to our services across all our branches over the next year.”

The new office, managed by Lisa Hallett, will work closely with other Linley & Simpson branches in Ilkley, Horsforth, Roundhay, Leeds city centre, Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, York and Wakefield.

Lisa brings more than 16 years’ experience to her new role, and will be a familiar face to many in the area having worked in both lettings and sales for another agent at its offices in Baildon, Otley, Bramhope, Ilkley and, most recently, Bingley – covering Baildon and Saltaire as well.

The acquisition of Move2 marks the third such deal in its Yorkshire heartland this year for Linley & Simpson.