NIDD Vale, one of Yorkshire's largest independent motor retailers, is investing more than £2 million to buy and develop the former Appleyards Rover and Saab dealership in Leeds Road, Harrogate as a new headquarters. In its most ambitious growth move since Nidd Vale was started 80 years ago it has snapped up the 3.4 acres from Appleyards' parent company, the Lancaster Group

Once extensive redevelopment is completed in January or February next year, the £75 million turnover group will start to re-locate the 120 staff from both its Vauxhall franchise and head office based at the former bus depot in Westmoreland Street.

Describing the plans as "the largest-ever investment by Nidd Vale," Richard Jackson, the group's chairman said: "The Leeds Road site is one of the most strategically important motor retailing locations in Yorkshire as it is passed by up to 20,000 motorists every day."