The proposed move would take place within the next 18 months and would see the company relocate to purpose-built, 36,000 sq ft office accommodation at Vertex Park, Emersons Green, Bristol.

The new office, four miles from the existing headquarters, would provide much-needed space for further recruitment and planned expansion. With planning approval granted last Friday, work on site is likely to commence in the autumn with completion due by the end of 2016.

Mel Dawson, managing director of ALD Automotive, said: “We moved to our current location in 1995, following an MBO, when we had less than 100 staff and, since then, we have grown significantly and now have almost 400 employees. Looking after the needs of blue-chip PLCs, SMEs and private individuals – and being part of an international group that manages over one million 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.”