An auction house is marking its first anniversary with the appointment of a key member of staff.
Old Brewery Auctions, based in Wickwar, held its first sale on April 11th last year and has just appointed Shelley Cregg as Head of Business Operations and Auctioneer. Shelley, a qualified auctioneer, brings a wealth of experience to the role and is looking forward to wielding the gavel on the rostrum.
Based in the former Wickwar Brewery building in South Gloucestershire, Old Brewery Auctions is the brainchild of Joseph Trinder, Managing Director and Auctioneer at Wotton Auction Rooms, and Harry Leach of Trashman Clearance and Trashman Treasures which is also based on the site.
“It’s nice to be back and feel the buzz of a bustling auction room. I will be auctioneering with Joseph and co-ordinating the sale as well as the back-office side of things, and I’ll be the main point of contact for our vendors and buyers,” explained Shelley.
Joseph added: “We’re delighted to welcome Shelley as a member of the team here.
“It’s a wonderful marker as we approach our first anniversary that started off with Harry’s and my hard work and we’ve been growing at such a rate that we need the wonderful Shelley to join us in a full-time capacity to help take us to the next stage.”
Harry added: “We’ve been so touched and encouraged by the support of the local community – and further afield – with Shelley onboard we’re going to become a better functioning and more streamlined, slicker business and we are excited about what’s to come in the future.”
Bucking the recent trend, Old Brewery Auctions’ sales are in-person only with a packed saleroom on a Friday evening every two week.
Wickwar Brewery ceased beer production at the end of 2020, a victim of the global pandemic and since then Harry’s family’s businesses have had their base in the historic brewery building.
“I’m an avid recycler and I’m really passionate about it. We prioritise recycling, and we want to bring that to this business where everything gets a new lease of life. Less waste should be really important for everyone.”
Joseph added: “It’s a question of giving these pieces a new lease of life. The green credentials of what we do are so important to Harry and I in our existing businesses.”
This all fits with a surge in interest in antiques amongst millennials, and the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) reporting a surge in members in their late 20s and 30s.
The next sale takes place on Friday, March 27th at 6pm, with viewing from 5pm, and an online catalogue.
