The commercial arm of estate agents and valuers Dacre,Son & Hartley is enhancing its reputation as a key player in the region by taking on a number of major projects in the Bradford area.

The firm which stems back to the early 19th century and its long-standing expertise, with residential branches across the region and a commercial division with offices in Bradford, Keighley and Leeds, gives it a good insight into the commercial property market.

Commercial activity now accounts for around a quarter of the business now done by Dacres from its 23 offices across the region. The Bradford and Keighley offices alone have handled more than £10 million of commercial property deals so far this year.

And associate director Ian Hayfield, who heads up a team of six people covering the whole of the Aire Valley, expects to see a steady increase in interest over the next few years. He said: "A considerable number of businesses looking to expand are being attracted by the cheaper rates available in the Bradford district which has equally good motorway links as Leeds.

"Some want to open a new branch of their business to complement premises elsewhere, for others we are handling complete re-locations."

And all this activity comes at a time when the company is heavily involved with the Rating Revaluation 2000 - undertaking ratings appeals on behalf of a number of clients.

The Keighley office has been open since 1938 and was Dacre's first commercial branch. Together with the main Bradford office, opened three years ago, it has built an enviable position in the commercial property market.

He added: "Our approach is a very pro-active one, actively searching for the right kind of property in Bradford and Keighley for our clients, rather than waiting for suitable sites to come to us. Customer service and communication are always our highest priorities."

Among other recent transactions was the letting of a 40,000 sq ft warehousing facility at Cononley, near Skipton, to Ponden Mill Ltd - thought to be one of the biggest lease deals ever undertaken in the Aire Valley this year.

The division was also selected as sole agent for the prestigious waterside commercial development the Merchant's Quay at Saltaire - built by Victorian philanthropist textile merchant Sir Titus Salt - off the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The first phase of the development has been completed and now Dacre's has been chosen to deal with the second phase.

Mr Hayfield said: "Planning permission has been granted for the conversation of the former engineering works attached to Merchant's Quay and work will start on the restoration of the building. There has been considerable interest in the first phase of the redevelopment and we very much hope it will continue."

The single-storey 10,000 sq ft property is being converted to three office suites featuring exposed brickwork and wooden floors. Mezzanine floors will be used to make the most of the modern open-plan design.

Phase two of the development is scheduled for completion in February next year.

Mr Hayfield added: "The area has really taken off as a commercial centre and high-quality developments such as this can only continue its growth.

"Sir Titus Salt would be pleased."