Antiques ace Tim Wonnacott opens Halls' new Shrewsbury HQ
A new multi-million pound extension at Halls' auctioneers has been officially opened in a buzz of excitement – and bosses have hinted that more jobs could be on the way.
The new state-of-the-art headquarters and fine art salerooms in Battlefield, Shrewsbury, were opened by celebrity antiques expert Tim Wonnacott last night.
About 500 people packed into the new building to see the TV personality declare the building open and describe it as a somewhere that will 'knock the socks off' antique dealers.
Mr Wonnacott has visited Halls' previous home at the Welsh Bridge regularly in recent years as presenter of BBC's Bargain Hunt.
He said: "You can't look at this and not be impressed. It is a centre of excellence and somewhere for Shrewsbury to be proud of. It will be a real value to the community and the whole of the Midlands."
The new 20,000 sq ft building next to Shrewsbury Auction Centre took S.J. Roberts Construction Limited of Marton, near Welshpool, six-and-a-half months to build.
It consists of two fine art salerooms, dedicated offices, storage space, 110 parking spaces and a cafe provided by Battlefield 1403.
Halls chairman Peter Willcock said more investment could follow. He said: "This could create more jobs in the future because of the scope of the facility, we could build more.
"There isn't a limit to what we could do. It is the pursuit of excellence."
David Giles, a director of Halls who managed the project, has described it as 'a marvellous development' for Shrewsbury that will take the firm into an exciting new era.
And he said there had been a 'phenomenal' response to the building. Fine art director Jeremy Lamond, who will fly to Beijing in April to further expand the business, said it was a 'dream come true'.
He said: "We are confident that it will become an important powerhouse for the fine art department, expanding the business that has been developed at the Welsh Bridge over the past 50 years.
"There are bigger rooms, better acoustics, it makes it attractive to buyers and what we are selling more sellable."
Halls moved into the building at the beginning of the month and the first fine art sale will be held next week.
Local business: SJ Roberts Construction, Welshpool
