An unsung hero of the Gloucestershire business community, that literally keeps the wheels of scores of companies turning, is readying for a major move.

Eagle-eyed travellers through Hempsted in Gloucester may have spotted a giant steel structure being built by Barnwood Construction on a 1.18-hectare site.

It is this 2,000 square metres of floor space that will be the new home of the firm in question, Imperial Commercials Gloucester, which currently operates its successful Daf truck servicing and parts specialist business from Mercia Road off St Oswalds Way.

According to the Construction Phase Plan, submitted to the city council planning department Barnwood Construction as part of the application, the predicted finish date is towards the end of this month (January).

The new building, which won approval from the council in June last year, is for "new industrial building for the servicing of vans and heavy goods vehicles, with ancillary offices, spare parts stores and trade counter".

Plus, an "external yard areas for lorry and trailer parking and staff and visitor car park. In addition, the sale of new vans under a 'sui generis' use class".

A report by Gloucester City offices to the committee said: "The proposed building will comprise a reception area, individual offices, a parts and storage area, a staff canteen, toilets, and parking.

"The development will provide 26 lorry spaces, 38 staff parking spaces, 31 visitor parking spaces, 2 disabled bays, three motorcycle bays and a cycle shelter. The building will be of a functional industrial design, with a steel frame and silver coloured profiled cladding."

Access to the site will be from Spinnaker Road and also from what is called Tip Road, both of which emerge back onto Hempsted Lane (A430), which has become a key Gloucester ring road and one earmarked for major improvements in the near future.

Read more: Gloucestershire business magazine Punchline-Gloucester.com's January 2019 edition features fifty of the county's best apprenticeship providers and the 260-plus apprenticeships they could have on offer in 2019.