THE man who founded the largest dealer of architectural antiques in the UK is bowing out after 30 years.
Andy Thornton founded the Elland-based business which bears his name after seeing the opportunities when he was on a backpacking trip around the world.
Architectural salvage - unwanted in the UK - was shipped to the USA and sold by auction to the nostalgia-crazed hospitality industry.
By the early 1980s UK breweries, impressed by what they saw developing in the US, realised there was a market for Andy Thornton's style of interior in Britain.
Andy recruited a team of people to design and build pub, hotel and restaurant interiors and the company flourished.
Now he and his wife Kate and their business partners John Bagshaw and Fred Standbrook have sold to their management.
The business has been bought by five associate directors led by Peter Siddall, who becomes managing director.
Mr Thornton said: "The 30th anniversary made me realise that it is time for a change. The business is in great shape with a very healthy order book.
"It has always been my wish for the company ownership to transfer to employees in one form or another so I am delighted to be handing over to the team who have been instrumental to the success of the business for many years."
He and his wife will say thankyou to the 190 employees with a bonus and a party at Bertie's Banqueting Rooms in Elland.
Mr and Mrs Thornton will manage industrial property they own in West Yorkshire and plan to travel abroad.
The business has its head office at the Ainleys Industrial Estate in Elland.
But it is perhaps better known to the public by its showroom at Victoria Mills, a renovated former textile mill in West Vale.
Recently completed contracts include all the shop fronts for two shopping centres in Poland and the interior joinery work of the Club Hotel and Spa in Jersey.
The company, a winner of the Queen's Award for Export, is currently working at the Strand Theatre in London and on a bar interior in Glasgow.
