A new auctioneers has opened for business with ambitions to help customers across Herefordshire, bordering counties and further afield from its home in Leominster.

The partners in Minster Auctions were all previously with Brightwells Fine Art and when the department closed earlier in the year, turned their thoughts to "filling the vacuum".

Geoffrey Crofts, Owain Lloyd and Daniel Webb will be familiar faces to many customers who have bought at antiques, fine art or general sales over the years and have over 80 years in combined experience.

Mr Crofts said Minster Auctions will have a blend of the old and the new in their approach to auctioneering.

“The fundamentals of what we do are unchanged, putting together sales and attracting both buyers and sellers," he said.

"But of course, online viewing and bidding is now paramount so setting up the business from scratch has given us the opportunity to create a blend of real people service and advice with the latest online technology.”

The business has opened a new saleroom on Southern Avenue in Leominster and is looking forward to welcoming customers as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow.

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Senior partner Owain Lloyd is delighted with the positive support they have received so far.

He said: “It’s a very people-oriented service, with the many years of experience the team have, we are able to provide advice that customers can trust.

"Through the Covid period there has been a national increase in demand for auctioneering services and if anything, it feels like there will be an upsurge when normality returns.

"Certainly, we have been thrilled by all the warm messages welcoming us back.”

The first sale, antique and contemporary interiors, is scheduled for January 13 with two similar sales planned for February. The partners also hope a major spring fine art sale can take place on March 10.

Also scheduled for the year are two collectors' auctions focusing on taxidermy, natural history, toys, militaria, medals and much more.

Partner Daniel Webb is widely recognised for his knowledge in taxidermy with a particular interest in the 19th century ornithologists and entomologists. He also specialises in model railway and die-cast vehicles, as well as having an interest in tribal art and antiquities.

The team will also be calling on the support of other familiar faces including Caroline Atkinson to run the jewellery and watch department, James Pearn who specialises in British and European paintings and Roger Williams who brings considerable knowledge of English silver and country furniture.