Martyn Rowe on the rostrum.
Martyn Rowe, the owner and auctioneer of the firm in Redruth, plans to take a step back and hopes to sell the business while continuing as an auctioneer.
He has instructed SBC Commercial Properties to market the business which holds in excess of 40 auctions per year and selling over 30,000 lots per year. Rowe hopes to semi-retire following the sale and said: “The sale of the business as a going concern is at a point where we are exceptionally busy and an ideal time for someone younger to take over the reigns.
“I would certainly provide maximum assistance for as long as required. As I look back at 43 years on the rostrum, I have enjoyed every moment and hope to continue for some time but need to step back a little.”
Rowe began his auction career in 1983 and set up Truro Auction Centre in 1990 in the centre of Truro before moving 20 years ago to a larger premises with two salerooms, large storage and parking for over 100 vehicles.
Rowe said the current location, close to the A30, has been “two-to-three times busier than we ever were in the city centre with convenient access and parking proving paramount”.
Truro Auction Centre.
The firm employs five members of staff with part-time staff also used on an ad hoc basis.
The firm is currently working on the next two-day antique and picture sale in January. It holds general sales almost every week with 400-500 lots going under the hammer and antiques and picture sales are held every eight-nine weeks, each with over 1000 lots.
Reminiscing on his career, Rowe added: “I now find the need to semi-retire – but can you really retire from this business? I doubt it. There are only a few true chattels auctioneers left in many areas now where the internet has brought on a different type of auctioneer but there are still a few of us that can physically sell to a large number of bidders and adapt to just about any market.”
Among the highlights for the firm was the discovery of a Lucy Rie bowl in a kitchen cupboard on a probate valuation which sold for £12,000.
