ANOTHER York family name is disappearing from the High Street. Leedhams, city motor traders for more than 70 years, have been sold. It is a sad day for the Leedham family, and for all those who regret the loss of independent York businesses.

Times change. When Thomas Leedham opened one of Britain's first Alvis, Riley and Vauxhall dealers in 1924, the motor car was still a rich man's luxury. By the Sixties, when Leedhams expanded into premises on Malton Road, Britain was experiencing serious traffic congestion, although even at that time the jams were mainly composed of British cars.

Today British motor manufacturing is all but dead. And local, family-owned businesses of every kind are under pressure to sell up to national and international concerns.

That has implications for consumer choice, of course. But in the case of Bramhall's takeover of Leedhams, the customer potentially stands to benefit.

One of the reasons Iain Leedham gives for the sale of his business is that car prices are going down. British motorists have been paying over the odds for too long, as comparisons with Europe have confirmed. Dealerships are under pressure from consumer groups and the Government to drive prices down.

When it comes to buying power, smaller concerns like Leedhams do not pack a big enough punch to match the discounts offered by larger competitors. Mr Leedham today promised that Bramhall's will pass on savings through economies of scale to customers.

There are two other positive aspects to the deal. Firstly, although Bramhall's is a multiple, it is a local multiple: based in Harrogate and chaired by family member Tony Bramhall, it is a North Yorkshire success story. Secondly and more importantly the group has made a pledge to the 100-plus employees that their jobs are safe.