Despite the growing Covid-19 pandemic creating a number of challenges and logistical issues for auction houses, the team at SDL Auctions have become the latest to hold their property auctions remotely to provide security and certainty to buyers.

Following the government’s advice to limit social contact, the three March auctions that were scheduled to take place in Birmingham, Derby and Leicester will go ahead behind closed doors, with several remote bidding options available to buyers.

Andrew Parker, managing director and auctioneer at SDL Auctions, comments: “We have not taken this decision lightly but the safety and health of our customers, partners and staff are our primary focus and we felt this was the most appropriate course of action in these unprecedented times.”

Interested buyers can submit a telephone, proxy or internet bid request here, or they could simply watch and listen to Parker conducting the auction in real-time by clicking the ‘watch auction live’ link on the website.

“We are very fortunate that we already use all of this technology for each and every auction and our remote bidding service is already used by many of our regular buyers,” says Parker. “Our auctions are already filmed for our live video feed and we take multiple remote bids each auction day. In fact, last year we sold in excess of £80m of property online.”

He says the entire team is able to work remotely and can continue to provide customers and partners with the level of service they expect from SDL.

“The only difference is that our usual auction venues will be closed to visitors and all bids will be taken remotely,” he explains. “As we have been taking remote bids from buyers for many years, we are confident that the auctions will run smoothly, albeit a little more quietly.”

“In times of uncertainty we’re pleased to be able to offer our customers certainty and security in their property sales and purchases and would like to thank them for their continued support and understanding. Our thoughts are with all those affected by coronavirus in the UK and around the world.”

SDL Auctions will hold online property auctions on the following dates and times:

• Birmingham: March 25 at 11:30am
• Derby: March 26 at 11:30am
• Leicester: March 27 at 11:30am

Further updates will be issued via the website and social media channels. Customers can also call the team on 0800 304 7879.