Two well-known regional firms have joined forces after ambitious Linley & Simpson acquired the residential sales and lettings business of rival Dale Eddison.

Linley & Simpson has bought Dale Eddison’s five offices in Ilkley, Otley, Guiseley, Silsden and Skipton, for an undisclosed sum.

All 43 Dale Edddison staff remain with the business, including directors Bill Dale, William Eddison and Gary Shankland.

Dale Eddison, founded in 1991 and voted the UK’s best agent in the ESTAS three years ago, will continue to operate under its own brand.

The acquisition is the eighth undertaken by Linley & Simpson this year.

It is also the fourth since June when the firm secured £10m in funding from LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, to support and accelerate its buy-and-build strategy.

When Will Linley and Nick Simpson launched their agency 21 years ago with just two offices in Leeds and a handful of staff.

Now, following this latest deal, their business employs more than 220 staff across an interlinked network of branches across West and North Yorkshire.

Linley said: “Dale Eddison has a deserved reputation for quality among the communities it serves.

“This acquisition signals our confidence in the future of Yorkshire’s residential property market – and investing in it.

“Our sector is heading along a consolidation curve, where the scale of the challenges ahead will ensure that only the fittest will survive and thrive.

“Our ability to reinvest puts us on the strongest footing to be a market leader and keep pace with a changing property world of the future.”

Dale Eddison joint founder Bill Dale said: “We are thrilled to be becoming part of another national award-winning agency – especially one which has strong Yorkshire roots, the same traditional values, and shares our passion for properties and the people who live in them.”

The commercial side of Dale Eddison is not part of the sale, and will continue as a separate entity, re-branded as DE Commercial.