Commer plans five-year expansion

It is the first major target set by Edward Walsh, who took over the family’s £40m Commer Group last October after illness forced his father Jim to retire.

The Tadcaster-based group’s commercial property interests includes Town & Village Hotels, which owns three North Yorkshire hotels, the George at Piercebridge, the Bridge House at Catterick Bridge and the White Rose at Leeming Bar. Edward, a former investment banker with Citigroup in London, is on the look-out for suitable acquisitions throughout the North to add to the portfolio.

“Obviously the last few months have presented me with many challenges,” said Edward, “but having worked very closely with my father, I have a very good understanding of the business, and my banking experience is extremely useful.

“I see the hotels business as providing a very good opportunity for profitable growth.”

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