Safety first in face of COVID-19 prompts Bond Wolfe Auctions to cancel May date

After considerable deliberations with management and staff, and in the best interest of achieving positive results for our valued clients we have taken the difficult decision to cancel our May Auction.

We have been constantly monitoring the situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic whilst following all of the Government’s advice and updates on social distancing. As a business we have taken this decision as we feel that it is the only responsible and safe action to take.

Whilst we are fully able to operate a “remote bidding only” auction or even a full online sale, it is doubtful that we would achieve the best possible price for our vendors, additionally it is completely unreasonable for us to expect potential purchasers to buy property without the possibility of carrying out their full due diligence to include internal viewings and surveys.

Also, we feel that by putting properties on the market, it would encourage people to flout the lock-down/social distancing rules, even if only to go and inspect a property externally as this would be impossible for us to police. The health and safety of our clients, staff and the wider public are at the forefront of our decision and a priority over our commercial objectives.

We urge people to follow government instructions and only leave your homes for medical reasons, exercise and essential shopping. This is the only way that we will stop the spread and ease the pressure and workload on our magnificent NHS staff.

We will be announcing our next auction dates in due course and expect to have the largest ever auction to take place outside London, exceeding our own previous records.  In our February auction we raised over £20 million, with 200 lots sold out of the 212 offered representing a 95% sales success rate.  We also had a record number of remote bidders by telephone, online and proxy – over 850, and we undertook a record number of viewings, well over 6,200, in the lead up to the auction.  So whilst this is disappointing for us as a business, as we are on a roll, it is absolutely the correct decision.

Our offices are currently closed but our staff are working remotely and we will continue to deal with all telephone and email enquiries during our normal working hours.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us [email protected] or 0121 312 1212 and we will gladly offer all the help and advice we can.

The Bond Wolfe Auctions team would like to sincerely thank the NHS staff, emergency services, teachers and supermarket staff for all that they are doing during this challenging period and our valued clients for their ongoing support.

We hope that you and your families are safe and in good health during these difficult times.

Gurpreet Bassi, Chief Executive Officer

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