Details of a £5 million investment have unlocked the mystery surrounding the future of one of the last pieces of development land close to Gloucester Quays.

Imperial Commercials, which claims to be the largest DAF Dealer group in the UK and Europe, has revealed its plans to open a major dealership on the site.

The new facility on Spinnaker Road will see the company, which employs 50 staff in the city, relocate the 1.5 miles from its current location to the new base, just minutes from the main A40 and M5 arterial routes.

According to the business the move has been driven by a growing customer base and is expected to create new positions.

Senior Executives from Imperial Commercials including managing director Matt Lawrenson, regional director Daniel Fitzjohn, regional sales manager Gary Woodruff, regional aftersales director Mark Price and service manager Barry Field, and, alongside representatives from DAF Trucks and Gloucester construction firm, Barnwood Construction, attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the new 4.5-acre site .

Mr Fitzjohn, regional director for Imperial Commercials' Western Region, said: "The hard work being delivered by our current Mercia Road team has laid the groundwork for a fantastic future for Imperial Commercials in the region.

"The new dealership will help us raise our service levels to even greater heights. Local operators can look forward to a seamless transition to Spinnaker Road next Spring."

According to the business the site - located off the southern end of the old Gloucester City FC football stadium and already cleared for building work - will become "a state-of-the-art workshop and bespoke office facility together finished in DAF Trucks brand identity".

Truck and light CV workshop bays will cater for Imperial Commercials' DAF and FIAT Professional brands. The dealership will also have the equipment and services required to support transport operators of any size and any fleet make-up.

CM Downton, is one of a number of major fleet operators set to benefit from the new Imperial Commercials site.

Andy Downton, managing director of CM Downton, said, "We've enjoyed outstanding support from Imperial Commercials for many years, and this high level of service goes a long way to ensuring that the DAF marque comprises 95 per cent of our fleet.

"We have developed a close relationship with a number of individuals at Imperial Commercials and this has engendered a true partnership between us. The investment in a new location," he said, "is a clear signal that Imperial Commercials' commitment to us is in place for many years to come."

Imperial Commercials Gloucester forms part of its Western Region which includes bases in Bristol, Swindon - where it invested £2.75 million in 2015 - Frome, Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester.

Mr Lawrenson, managing director at Imperial Commercials, said: "Our brand-new dealership in Gloucester further cements our stated commitment to invest, grow and develop our DAF footprint in the UK.

"Our colleagues in Mercia Road have delivered exceptional levels of service on a consistent basis year after year, and it is these people who have made this investment possible."