THE chief executive of Tiso Group believes the sale of a controlling stake to JD Sports will offer business development opportunities while also being good for staff, suppliers and customers.

Chris Tiso admitted the decision to relinquish control of the family firm, founded in 1962 by his mother and father, was not taken lightly.

Discussions between both parties had been going on for several months and he said: "It is a bit like getting married, you spend a bit of time getting to know your prospective future partner. Most people don't rush down the aisle after meeting once or twice.

"If you are contemplating a move like this when you have owned and run an eponymous business for 51 years you don't go into it lightly.

"The due diligence has to go both ways. It has been a very carefully considered move and one which I know is going to add value to both businesses."

The sum involved in the deal has not been disclosed but Mr Tiso did confirm his family remain significant shareholders.

As well as that he will continue to run the business and said there is no lock-in period written into the deal under which he would be able to walk away at a specified future date.

Mr Tiso moved quickly to quell concerns about whether the move will lead to wholesale changes at Tiso Group and its subsidiaries George Fisher, Alpine Bikes and ski specialist Blues.

Noting a number of customers had already contacted him through social network Twitter to find out more information, he said: "If anything it will allow us to be more expressive and developmental with brands and the range [of products] as we now have a very, very large [and] strong financial partner.

"As far as service is concerned the business has always prided itself on its outstanding service. For as long as I am still here that will be a hallmark of what we do.

"The names [above the door] will absolutely remain. Our new partner knows and understands the value of the names in the local market and that is what they are buying into."

All 300 staff across Tiso Group are expected to stay in place. Mr Tiso is now looking forward to working alongside Peter Cowgill, who is the executive chairman at JD Sports and who will now become the chairman at Tiso Group.

Mr Tiso said: "The focus in recent weeks and months has been to get the deal over the line. To stick with the marriage analogy you have to get married before you start getting too excited about the honeymoon.

"Now we can actually start to sit down round the table as partners and map out the options and priorities. It is exciting to have the access to better funding to allow us to press the button on projects like a store re-fit but also to tap into the knowledge JD has in running a large retail business.

"One example of that is multi-channel which they are very good at and we are a long way down the learning curve.

"There are so many different dimensions and it is going to be great to sit down and explore them all."