Linley & Simpson has extended its Leeds footprint following the sealing of yet another acquisition deal.

The agency, part of the Lomond Group, has purchased the sales and lettings business of Leeds-based Hardisty and Co, a family-run agency whose property roots date back more than 30 years.  

Its operations spanned the North and North West of Leeds; Bradford; the Wharfe Valley, including the market town of Otley; and Aireborough, and its suburbs of Guiseley, Rawdon and Yeadon. 

The deal adds more than 640 properties to Linley & Simpson’s rental portfolio.   

The Hardisty brand will be retained in Horsforth, where its current branch on New Road Side will remain open and become dedicated exclusively to sales. It will also incorporate its new homes specialism. 

The office will continue to be managed by former Hardisty and co-director, Andrew Hardisty, and his wife Tracey.# The other family director, Ian Hardisty, and his wife, Gemma, who was Head of HR, are retiring from the business to pursue other business interests. 

Nick Simpson, CEO of Linley & Simpson, said: “We are thrilled to acquire, and join forces with, another market-leading agency of the calibre of Hardisty and Co. 

“It is a highly complementary business that we have known and admired for many years, and represents an ideal fit for us. 

“The thriving area where they operate is one of our strongest heartlands. It’s where we started our journey as a letting agent 25 years ago, and where our headquarters is now based. 

“We look forward to pooling more than five decades of local knowledge and insight to ensure we offer the highest quality customer service to buyers and sellers, tenants and landlords.” 

He added: “We remain committed to growing at pace and scale, and this latest acquisition is another signal of our continuing confidence in the Yorkshire property market. Other acquisition prospects are in the pipeline.” 

Established as Waite & Co in 1992, Andrew Hardisty bought the business in 2001 and it was rebranded to Hardisty and Co in 2015, where he continued to grow it along with his two bothers to employ a team of almost 40. 

He said: “We have been counterparts of Linley & Simpson since the 1990s and we have long held a shared respect for each other. 

“When we started to explore the possibility of selling our business, our priority was to ensure its future would be in safe and trusted hands. 

“Linley & Simpson has that pedigree. It shares our passion for property, and for employing a team comprising only the very best people.  Myself, and the other former Hardisty and Co colleagues joining Linley & Simpson, look forward to contributing to its future success.”