Dales law firm set for new lease of life with Yorkshire Bank backing

11/10/2011

A Yorkshire Dales law firm run by a former England rugby captain is set to diversify its services after gaining backing from Yorkshire Bank.

Spencer Davies Solicitors, Grassington, is researching new market opportunities after switching its business banking requirements to Yorkshire Bank’s West Yorkshire Financial Solutions Centre (FSC), Bradford, as part of the Bank’s Investing for Growth initiative.

Partner John Spencer, who captained the England Rugby Union team in its 1971 centenary year and founded Spencer Davies in 1994, said: “As the only law firm between Hawes and Skipton we have in-depth local knowledge and play a significant role in the local community.

“Switching to Yorkshire Bank’s West Yorkshire FSC has resulted in a less bureaucratic service based on true relationship banking and a far better understanding of our needs as a rural business which is providing the additional time and funds for us to refresh our business plan and diversify our services in line with local market need.

“We are currently reviewing and analysing a variety of options but our initial diversification is likely to be introducing additional property-related services which will reduce traveling for rural families by being on their doorstep. While the last few years have been tough in the rural housing market, 2011 has seen an improvement in this side of our business both through our own diligence and the additional Yorkshire Bank support.”

Spencer Davies, in which John Spencer was joined by partner Antony Davies in 2002, has six staff and provides residential and commercial property conveyancing, wills and probate, employment law, family law and personal litigation. The firm, which is also an agent for Skipton Building Society, has private clients throughout the Yorkshire Dales and commercial clients in North and West Yorkshire.

Phillip Shearstone, Yorkshire Bank West Yorkshire FSC business partner, said: “Spencer Davies provides valuable legal services to the rural community and Yorkshire Bank is pleased to be supporting the practice through our Investing for Growth initiative as its grows and diversifies in line with local need.”

Yorkshire Bank’s Investing for Growth initiative enables businesses to take loan repayment holidays, interest-only repayments and extended loan and credit terms to take advantage of quality growth opportunities. Businesses taking up the package can re-invest the cash into their operation for expansion, new staff, equipment, machinery and commercial development.

John Spencer played centre for England from 1969 to 1973 and was a British Lion in the 1971 victorious test series against the All Blacks in New Zealand. He played for the Barbarians 25 times, 18 as captain. He is a non-executive director of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and English representative on the British Lions Board and the International Rugby Board and has been president of Wharfedale Rugby Club, Threshfield, for 32 years. Antony Davies is secretary of Wharfedale Rugby Club and a judicial officer for the RFU Six Nations, the European Cup and the IRB.

Yorkshire Bank’s West Yorkshire FSC, Canal Road, which covers Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and up to Craven district, comprises 45 staff in multi-discipline teams encompassing corporate banking, private wealth management, treasury services and credit and operates a traditional method of banking with funding from deposits used to support investments in the local community.