Bristol fleet management firm ALD Automotive has drawn up plans for a new headquarters building at Emersons Green – the first major out-of-town pre-let office scheme in the city for five years.
The firm, which employs nearly 400 staff at its outdated Fishponds HQ, hopes to relocate to the purpose-built £12m, 36,000 sq ft office development at Vertex Park next year. 
ALD, one of the UK’s largest vehicle leasing companies, says the new building will give it much-needed space for further recruitment and planned expansion.
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 has brought in Birmingham-based commercial property developer Stoford to oversee the project. Plans for the three-storey, Grade A, BREEAM building have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council. If approved, work cold start on site this autumn and complete by the end of next year.
Stoford director Gerard Ludlow, pictured, said: “It is well documented that the Bristol office market has very limited stock and it is that lack of availability of Grade A accommodation that has led ALD Automotive to consider the design-and-build route.” 
He said the site’s proximity to the Bristol & Bath Science Park, the National Composite Centre and other modern business parks along with access to the M4 made it a very attractive proposition.
ALD managing director Mel Dawson said: “We moved to our current location in 1995 when we had less than 100 staff and, since then, we have grown significantly.
“Looking after the needs of blue-chip plcs, SMEs and private individuals – and being part of an international group that manages over 1m vehicles in 40 countries – 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’s strategic economic development manager Antony Merritt 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 their 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.”
ALD Automotive is being advised by Bristol property agents Hartnell Taylor Cook.
Stoford recently completed healthcare insurance provider Simplyhealth’s award-winning, 62,275 sq ft office development on a gateway site in the Whiteladies Road conservation area.
