The Bloodhound Project, which is developing a 1,000mph car, is to move to larger premises on an industrial estate in Avonmouth as it prepares to challenge the world land speed record.
The project has taken a flexible five-year lease on Unit 3 Avonbridge Trading Estate on Atlantic Way, which is four times larger than its Harbourside workshop.
The 21,933 sq ft open-plan building includes warehouse, production and office space and will be the final assembly area for the car before it heads to South Africa in 2015.
Pictured: Andrew Ridler of Alder King, Rob Cleeves of Savills and Tony Parraman of the Bloodhound SSC Project with the carbon fibre monocoque of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car in the new Avonmouth facility
The property will give the project a more spacious workshop area with a generous eaves height to accommodate cranes, clean rooms for sub-assemblies, electrical and hydraulic work, a crew room for technicians as well as office and presentation space.
The new accommodation was secured through West property firm Alder King’s industrial agency team. Bristol-based partner Andrew Ridler said: “After three years, the Bloodhound Project had outgrown its current workshop next to the SS Great Britain.
“We have been closely involved with the project since its early days and are delighted to have helped secure new premises for this all-important next stage of assembling the car.
“With more than 3,000 specially-designed components to be delivered for the final assembly, it was important that the workshop is easily accessible for deliveries. This unit, with its large yard area, provides all the space and facilities the project will need over the next few years.”
Head of sponsor liaison for the project Tony Parraman added: “Building of the chassis has already begun but over the next few months we will be adding major components including the jet engine and tail fin which obviously require much more space. We are relocating at just the right time in the project life cycle.”
The landlord LCP was advised by the Bristol office of Savills whose industrial and logistics director Robert Cleeves said: “The landlord is delighted that this exciting project has chosen Avonbridge Trading Estate for its home and looks forward to seeing the project develop. It is not every day that you are able to assist in a project of international importance.”
