SMALL North East architect CSM+ is forging ahead with its expansion into new markets after acquiring a Yorkshire business.

The Newcastle-based company has purchased Knaresborough architectural practice Andrew Long Design for an undisclosed sum as it looks to extend its portfolio outside of the region.

CSM+, which had previously been looking to pick up work in Yorkshire, will now benefit from a number of areas of expertise at Andrew Long, which has built up a strong reputation for work on historic and listed buildings.

The Newcastle firm, which employs nine staff, is also benefiting from a steady flow of private housing contracts despite the problems facing the wider construction industry and now expects to grow its turnover this year with the help of the acquisition.

Andrew Long will continue to run the Knaresborough office with his small workforce, which will benefit from access to CSM’s technical resources and project management experience.

Will Moses, partner at CSM+, said: “We’ve been talking with Andrew and his staff for some months about the acquisition as their work is so similar to our own. We also have considerable experience in work to historical and listed buildings and were looking for a Yorkshire base from which we could expand.

“For Andrew’s existing well-established client base, the advantage is that we bring additional and experienced personnel with the latest technology and planning expertise.

“For ourselves and our own clients, we now have a Yorkshire base from which we can service projects while the combination of the practices and the pooling of resources brings greater stability of employment to all staff.”

CSM+ was formed in 2007 by the merger of the original CSM Architects and JBC Associates, specialising in housing, commercial and health work and operating from the Ouseburn Valley.

The practice has also been enjoying a long-term programme of health work for Cancer Partners UK, delivering privately operated radiotherapy centres across the country.

So far four centres have been completed at Portsmouth, Southampton, Elstree and Little Aston, near Birmingham.

It also picked up work from contractor Project Solutions UK earlier this year, on a £220,000 development at 71 Clayton Street, Newcastle, which will see the conversion of the property’s upper floors into four luxury apartments.

Neil Atkinson of CSM said: “We’re delighted to welcome Andrew and his team and are looking forward to becoming more involved in Yorkshire.

“It’s an exciting time for the new practice with plans to expand and increase our existing levels of business throughout the UK and Ireland.

“Work is up and down at the moment, like most companies working in construction, but we are confident we can grow with the help of the acquisition.”