A SCARBOROUGH chartered accountant with offices in Malton and Helmsley is to merge with another firm in the seaside town.

Ashby Berry & Co will join forces with Coulsons to create one of the biggest independently-owned practices in the Scarborough.

The firms, which together have nearly 200 years of history, will form new company Ashby Berry Coulsons Ltd.

Staff from Ashby Berry will relocate to Coulsons’ offices at Belgrave Crescent, bringing employee levels to around 30.

Ashby Berry will retain its offices in Wheelgate, Malton and Bondgate, Helmsley, which will be rebranded under the new company name.

Tim Jones, partner at Ashby Berry, said: “I believe this merger will enable us to offer clients the best of both worlds. Ashby Berry Coulsons Ltd will be a larger entity meaning it will be well placed to serve new clients but with the personal touch we have always brought to our existing accounts as independent practices.

David Bryden, partner at Coulsons, said the merger was forecast to be completed by the end of March.