Aston Barclay will replace its Leeds site with a new 18-acre vehicle auction ‘Mega Centre’ near Wakefield.

The new auction site is billed as the most modern in Europe, with capacity to remarket 50,000 cars per year, including ex-fleet vehicles.

It will boast 70,000 sq ft of space, housing two glass-fronted auction halls and internal space for 200 vehicles.

Aston Barclay’s CEO Neil Hodson said: “There will be no other auction like Wakefield in the UK or Europe. It offers a five-star building with enough space to auction and store hundreds of cars all undercover. We are looking to introduce more technology into Wakefield and across the group during the summer.

“This further supports our ambition of revolutionising the UK remarketing sector by combining the best features of a strong physical network with innovative technology and unique digital routes to market.”

Banks of video screens throughout the Wakefield Mega Centre and a high-specification internal finish, means it will resemble a dynamic retail environment.

Aston Barclay’s current Leeds auction has outgrown its existing six-acre site and its 40 staff will be relocated to Wakefield, where 50 further colleagues will be employed.