A machinery firm has announced plans to relocate its Skipton dealership because the town is thought to be "inconvenient".

Gibson Machinery Sales Ltd, distributors of agricultural and grounds care equipment, will split the two divisions into new separate sites.

The grounds care business will be moved to a new location near the A1/M1 link road.

The company is also currently seeking an alternative site for a new agricultural retail outlet in Yorkshire. The exact location of both sites are expected to be confirmed within the next few months.

The relocation is a response to a recent customer satisfaction survey undertaken by Gibsons, which indicated that many of its customers, particularly from the farming community, found the siting of the company's Yorkshire base in Skipton to be inconvenient.

GMS managing director Chris Gibson said: "We have decided to seek a more appropriate site with a predominantly agricultural focus, as some customers were concerned by the after-sales back-up and parts availability we were providing at Skipton."

Regarding Gibson's decision to create a separate retail outlet for its grounds care division, Chris Gibson added: "This facility will be specifically focused on the grounds care sector with all the usual functions and improved after-sales service."

He added that the company expected this particular site to be open within the next three months.

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