A FAST-growing law firm has opened its eighth office in five years with its first base in West Yorkshire this summer.

A new three-floor office, which adjoins Christchurch in The Grove, Ilkley, has been opened by Knaresborough-based Newtons Solicitors, with plans to build up to six full-time staff in the next few months.

The newly-refurbished office will provide a full range of commercial and private client legal services and be managed by Newtons Solicitors director, Victoria Trelease, a former Marks & Spencer lawyer and wills and probate specialist, who joined the firm in 2013.

Other potential recruits are currently being interviewed for roles including property and family law solicitors and support staff who will be supported by specialists within the wider group.

Victoria said: “It is a privilege to be invited to launch this eighth office for Newtons Solicitors and, from my experience with the firm, I’m sure it will be very successful. There are some very talented people at Newtons who I am delighted to be working with.”

Newtons Solicitors managing director, Chris Newton, added: “Ilkley suits our business model because it is a very good quality town with a vibrant business community. It is not too large, so our philosophy of local people being able to deal with experienced local lawyers will work very well. This expansion represents a cold start for us in a new county so we’re hungry for new business and to prove what we can do.

“Opening in Ilkley is the next obvious step for us given the geographical spread of our office network across Yorkshire and Teesside and takes us into our third county. It is the start of a wider expansion for the group in which we will start to choose new towns in which to open an office now that we have refined our successful and scaleable business model.

“The office, which we are leasing, is the former caretaker’s cottage for the local church which has been renovated to a high standard by Halliday Clark Architects. We are very excited to be moving in and bringing our services to West Yorkshire.”

Newtons Solicitors, which was founded by Chris Newton and his wife, Sarah, who is also a director, in 2009, has completed five years’ trading from a standing start and has seen turnover grow to £2.5M this year. The firm, which also has offices in Harrogate, Ripon, York, Leyburn, Richmond and Darlington, has 13 directors and LLP partners and 38 lawyers.