Batemans Auction House is on the market as its owners look to downsize amid changing trends in the antiques market
The auction house, located on Ryhall Road, is listed for £330,000. There’s also an adjoining office building for £200,000. Greg Bateman, the director, believes there’s still a market for their services in Stamford. If they sell, they might move into a smaller cottage on the property.
Greg mentioned that they’re weighing their options. He said, “It depends on whether there’s interest from buyers.” He added that many businesses are looking to save money and questioned if they really need all the space they have.
Batemans has been around since 2001, founded by Ron Bateman and his daughter Kate. They moved to their current location in 2008, and Greg took over management in 2011. Over the years, they’ve had some impressive sales, including a 22ct gold Cadbury’s egg that sold for £37,200.
However, the auction scene has changed. Once bustling with bidders, now only a few show up in person, while many prefer to bid online. Greg noted that the pandemic sped up this shift. “It’s just more convenient to bid from home,” he said.
Interest in larger furniture has declined, leading to a focus on smaller items. Greg, a senior valuer, pointed out that collectables and furniture have dropped in value by about 10% over the last 15 years. This decline has made people less inclined to bring in items for auction.
He encourages folks to consider investing in second-hand furniture, even though the trend hasn’t caught on as much as buying second-hand clothes. “Fashion plays a big role,” he explained.
Batemans also runs a smaller valuation office in Oakham, where they handle smaller items like jewelry and watches, which has been successful for them.
