Grant Thornton has delivered a major blow to Bradford by announcing it is to close its office in the city and relocate to Leeds.

The firm, the last national accountancy business to retain a base in the city, will close its office in Eldon Place on November 28.

Its departure follows the exit of other major finance firms from Bradford, including Baker Tilly and KPMG, both of which relocated to Leeds.

Grant Thornton partner Roland Clark, who is president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, has announced that he is to retire from the firm "by mutual agreement" when it moves to Leeds. Partner Tim Hill will also leave.

The practice employs 30 staff, three of whom have taken voluntary redundancy and one who has been made redundant.

Partner Andrew Moore, who will move to Leeds, said the decision was "regretful" but essential to provide clients with the broad range of specialist services they require.

"We are still as interested in Bradford as we ever were, it is just that we can serve the city better from ten miles away," he said. "I live in the city, have been brought up in the city and have worked here for 17 years. I feel it is regretful, but if that is what clients want, that is what we must do."

In a statement, Grant Thornton said the decision followed a change in the firm's client base. The new West Yorkshire office will house more than 150 staff and Grant Thornton said it was continuing to expand its business.

But David Warren, of the Bradford Society of Chartered Accountants, said: "I think for the city to regenerate and attract high quality new business, we need major national firms like this to have a presence. It is a very disappointing day for Bradford."