Safety and sales success as auctioneer hosts first ever online event during COVID-19

Mark Jenkinson and son's first ever auction held online as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown and to follow government guidelines and protect staff and client safety, saw 86 per cent of lots sold for a total of more than £1.5million.

Our third auction had been planned for the usual venue of Sheffield United's Platinum Suite, but was switched to an online event to ensure the 'absolute priority' of staff, client and public safety during COVID-19.

Adrian Little, Head of the Auction Department, said: "As we all adapt to the current pandemic, we are acting on government recommendations for safeguarding.

"After government lockdown and travel restrictions, social distancing measures, and temporary closures of our offices in Sheffield and Chesterfield, we needed to carefully advise our clients as to the best way forward which led to April's online only auction.

"Our absolute priority was the safety of our staff, clients and the public and setting the right example as we, like other businesses, adapt our working practices during these unprecedented circumstances.

"We gave clients the option to postpone their lots, look to sell prior or proceed to the online bidding platform available via our website. This resulted in 21 of the lots being offered, 18 of which sold in what was a very busy auction and our very first online event."

Notable results from the auction included an ex council town house in Stannington, guided at £58,000 plus which sold for £91,500; a former pub on Cricket Inn Road close to Sheffield City Centre, that achieved £130,000, and a modern detached house requiring improvement in Bradway which sold for £280,000.

Added Adrian: "We will continue to monitor and observe government guidelines and restrictions during COVID-19 ahead of our auctions going forward, and will return to our traditional events only once safe to do so.

"While currently our auctions have switched to an online bidding format, interested parties are asked to register for individual lots of interest via our website and check the website regularly for updates."