TOMLINSON’S Antiques warehouse in Tockwith has been bought by household goods retailer Textile Warehouse.

Textiles Warehouse is expanding into the 50,700 sq ft warehouse at Moorside, Tockwith, from its premises in Swillington, near Leeds.

The business declined to comment on its plans for the site.

Tomlinson’s Antiques was founded in 1977 when it began trading on Wetherby High Street and in 1992 it moved to the purpose built warehouse and showroom just outside Tockwith.

Tomlinson Furniture Group will continue to trade as an online retailer, and has set up The Furniture Warehouse on Sandbeck Lane, Wetherby, where it sells to trade customers and will sell to the public by appointment only.

Global real estate adviser DTZ advised on the sale of the property, which is the largest building sold in North Yorkshire in 2010. Paul Mack, associate director at DTZ, said: “Tomlinson’s Antiques is one of the region’s best known and well respected companies.

“Their premises, just outside Tockwith, presented an extremely rare opportunity to acquire the freehold interest of an industrial/warehouse building of such a size in North Yorkshire. From the outset we received a staggering amount of interest and we are delighted to have finally completed the sale.”

Veterinary company Animalcare got planning permission from Harrogate Borough Council to consolidate its various operations on the site earlier this year, but the company changed its mind when it decided the benefits of moving didn’t outweigh the cost. Residents objected to the move on the basis that more staff and lorry deliveries would disrupt the peace.