AN AMBITIOUS firm of solicitors is expanding with a new office in Thirsk.

The move, by Coles Solicitors, comes only weeks after it relocated its Northallerton headquarters to purpose-built offices in the town.

Peter Gibson, managing director and principal solicitor, said the decision to open a new office had been prompted by increasing volumes of work from the Thirsk area.

“Our new office in Millgate Street more readily serves our clients in Thirsk and its surrounding villages,” he said.

“We see this as a natural next step in our continued growth and expansion. I believe the recession is a time to seize opportunities and enter new markets.”

Anne McIntosh, Vale of York MP and shadow minister for the environment, who formally opened Coles’ new office, said: “I am delighted to be opening the new office for Coles Solicitors. Coles make a major contribution to a legal practice in a rural community and I have no doubt that their new offices will be a great asset to Thirsk.”

Mr Gibson said: “We have brought our competitive conveyancing and personal injury work to Thirsk, where none of the existing firms in town deal with the latter.”

Initially, Coles is operating the new office with a rotation of staff from its dozen-strong Northallerton team based at Trinity House, in order to ensure it can provide a complete service. “If all goes as well as we anticipate, we hope to create some new posts in the coming months,” said Mr Gibson.