A long-established Ilkley car dealership and garage are to close by Christmas with compulsory job losses.

North Yorkshire-based motor group Nidd Vale is closing its Ilkley sales and service business on Friday, December 23.

The company occupies the landmark car showroom on Skipton Road – the former Glovers Garage, which was established in the 1930s – as well as premises on Bridge Lane and East Parade.

Nidd Vale group managing director Neil Crossley has confirmed there will be a “small number” of compulsory redundancies, but other members of the 13-strong staff have been offered alternative jobs in the group’s other businesses.

There is said to be “tremendous” interest from other businesses in taking over the premises.

The Nidd Vale group took over the Ilkley business in 2008. It puts the closure down to a combination of car manufacturer requirements for investment in the facilities, and a short lease remaining on the premises.

“Existing staff have been offered alternative positions in the group’s other businesses wherever possible, but regretfully there will be a small number of redundancies,” said Mr Crossley. “There were requirements for significant investment in the facilities to meet manufacturer standards and these weren’t financially viable with a short lease remaining on the Ilkley premises.”

Nidd Vale said it would continue to service customers from its Harrogate or Wetherby facilities. The company will continue to operate its Vauxhall, Mazda and Saab and SEAT franchises in other towns.

The Ilkley wing of the firm currently also sells Peugeot cars.

The owner of all three properties, Paul Bourgeois (pictured) – who ran Glovers from 1984 to 2008 – said he was sorry to hear of the closure, but was confident other businesses would move in.

“The impending closure of Nidd Vale has created a tremendous amount of interest in the properties and I’m confident that there will be a healthy future for them,” he said.

“I’m confident that good use will be put to them very shortly and there is interest from a wide range of commercial activities.”

There has been speculation supermarket chain Morrisons is among interested parties. A spokesman recently said they were not aware of any plans.