Clive Emson celebrates its 200th auction milestone

This month marks the 200th auction of Clive Emson Auctioneers, the independent regional land and property auctioneer which first launched in the late 1980s.

Holding eight rounds of auctions at five locations – from Essex to Cornwell – on consecutive days every six weeks, the Kent-based firm has reached its landmark 200th auction with the current round in March holding 150 lots.

Chairman Clive Emson set up the business in 1989 after selling the Chatham office of Prudential Property Services for £85,000 – one of the first auctioneers in the country to break away from ties with estate agency chains.

“This is a celebratory auction for the hard-working team here at Clive Emson and for the hundreds of estate agencies which have supported us as joint auctioneers over nearly 30 years,” said James Emson, managing director.

“Since the business was founded by my father in 1989, with quality and service at the heart of everything we do, we have sold thousands of lots across southern England.”

He added: “From mid-terrace houses, sea defence forts and lock-up garages, to pubs, hotels, clubs and nuclear bunkers, the range and diversity of lots, coupled with value and potential, has been incredible.”

What’s more, its Hampshire office is marking its 100th auction at the Ageas Bowl near Southampton – home to Hampshire Cricket.

Last year Clive Emson achieved a success rate of 80% and catalogued 1,168 lots, reaching sales of £160 million. The company also paid a record £750,000 to joint auctioneers during 2017, with the money going straight into the industry through the link with estate agents needing auction facilities.

The auctioneer also sold land and property worth £17 million at its February sale, with an 85% sale rate after cataloguing 133 lots – which Emson says is a ‘blistering start to the year’.

Highlights for Emson’s upcoming March auctions include:

·         A landmark property including a coach house and 18 flats in Hove’s Brunswick Square on offer with a freehold guide of £2 million.

·         A former Ilfracombe Arms pub and adjoining Marlboro nightclub with a two-bedroom flat in Ilfracombe, north Devon, guided at £170,000-plus.

·         An anglers’ lake with land extending to 0.59 acres at West Hanningfield with a freehold guide of £10,000 to £15,000.

·         A former water tower in Whitfield, Dover, with potential as a home with the necessary consent, with a freehold guide of £80,000.

·         A parade of 10 shops, six flats and eight lock-up garages in Gosport (currently let at £97,650) has a freehold guide of £1 million-plus

The second sale of 2018 will be held in March at the following venues:

Essex & North and East London – March 19 at the Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford

Kent & SE London – March 20 at the Clive Emson Conference Centre, Detling, Maidstone, Kent

Sussex & Surrey – March 21 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton

West Country – March 22 at the St Mellion International Resort, Saltash

Hampshire & Isle of Wight – March 23 at the Ageas Bowl, near Southampton