Alfred Bartlett has quit commercial property firm Donaldsons and set up his own business, specializing in motor retail and roadside property.

Bartlett Property, based in Birmingham, represents many clients that Bartlett worked with while at Donaldsons.

These include automotive businesses such as Warners in Cheltenham, Marlborough Motor Company in west London and four Fiat Motor Group dealerships in the Home Counties, plus companies such as Tops Tiles and United Carpets, who are seeking empty dealerships to convert to other retail operations.

“I see this as a tremendous growth opportunity, and this gives me the freedom to build the business as I wish,” says Bartlett, who has been joined by his former PA, Vanessa Mara.

“Some dealers are finding it difficult to trade in the current climate and are looking for a way out by realizing the value in their property.”