Bristol-based ALD Automotive – one of the UK’s largest vehicle leasing companies – is preparing to relocate to its new £12m head office as the construction enters the final stages.
Midlands-based commercial property developer Stoford has completed the shell of the 36,000 sq ft building at Vertex Park, Emersons Green, and internal work is now well underway. 
Contractor Bristol-based Midas Construction expects to reach practical completion in November.
ALD is to move from its outdated headquarters in Fishponds, where it employs nearly 450 people.
The new development will give staff state-of-the-art offices and provide much-needed space for further recruitment and planned expansion.
Birmingham-based Stoford was granted detailed planning consent for the three-storey, Grade A, BREEAM ‘very good’ development by South Gloucestershire Council last year.
Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “Very good progress has been made right from the start of this project and it is great to see everything is on schedule for ALD Automotive’s anticipated move to the Vertex Park site.”
The project is the first sizeable out-of-town pre-let office development in the Bristol market for five years.
Mr Ludlow said the site’s proximity to the Bristol & Bath Science Park and established facilities such as the National Composite Centre, its location on a modern business park and access to the M4, made it a very attractive proposition.
ALD, originally known as Bryan Contract Hire and part of Bristol-based Bryan Brothers Group, was established in 1958. It is now the UK operational leasing and fleet management division of the French bank Société Générale.
It moved to its Fishponds base in 1995 when it employed fewer than 100 staff.
ALD Automotive managing director Mel Dawson said: “Looking after the needs of blue-chip plcs, SMEs and private individuals – and being part of an international group that manages 1.2m vehicles across 41 countries worldwide – it’s important that our new office environment not only reflects the size of the business we now are and allows us to continue our planned expansion, but helps us to operate more effectively in meeting the needs of our customers.”
South Gloucestershire Council leader Matthew Riddle added: “South Gloucestershire has one of the highest levels of employment in the country and we are very pleased that ALD Automotive has chosen to build its new facilities here.
“Vertex Park, which is part of the Emersons Green Enterprise Area, is an ideal location for the business with excellent transport access to the nearby ring road and directly to the M32 and M4/M5 motorway corridors.”
Stoford is becoming increasingly active in the Bristol area having recently acquired land at Delta Properties’ Central Park development at Avonmouth where it is developing a £43m speculative warehouse scheme.
The site neighbours another Stoford project – the £90m 1.2m sq ft regional distribution hub being built for homeware retailer The Range on a 55-acre site.
