Keighley's Airedale Shopping Centre has been sold for over £30 million.

The complex has been bought by the Boultbee Group, an investment and development company.

Asset manager David Revill described the acquisition as "an exciting opportunity".

He said: "Our aim is to continue to provide what is already a good retail centre for the local population, and we will be looking to improve various aspects.

"We are a privately owned and very family orientated company, with a proactive approach, and we are delighted to be making this significant investment in Keighley."

The move has been welcomed by centre manager Chris Gribben, who said it was good news for the shopping complex and for the town as a whole.

He said: "The company will be managing the centre directly rather than through an agent, and I am confident it will be looking at development and refurbishment opportunities at an early stage.

"The centre has been well managed, but 15 years has now elapsed since it was refurbished. I feel this sale will benefit not only the shopping centre but Keighley generally, which -- with the newly refurbished bus station -- has excellent facilities."

The Boultbee Group was the inspiration of brothers Steven and Clive Boultbee Brooks, who established the company in 1987.

The group now holds and manages a commercial property investment portfolio in excess of £250 million, with a rolling development programme of over £20 million.

It owns one other shopping centre -- Clock Towers, in Rugby.

The Airedale Centre formerly belonged to REIT, which bought the site in February last year.

l What Everyone Wants is closing all its UK discount stores, including the Keighley outlet.

The move comes after the Glasgow-based company, which went into administration last month, failed to attract a buyer.

Around 2,500 jobs will be lost.

All its 130 shops -- including the Cavendish Retail Park branch, which employs 14 -- will shut once stock has been sold off.

The company blames the closures on mounting pressure from tight margins, and heavy competition in the discount retail sector.