Bonhams shut office

Mar 5 2009 by Graeme King, The Journal

HIGH profile auctioneers Bonhams has closed its Newcastle office on Grey Street in the city centre.

The London-based firm, which has been a fixture on the street for 10 years, says it will now serve its North East clients from an office in Leeds.

The decision to close the office has not been blamed on the recession, with Bonhams saying it is able to serve its clients through the use of technology.

The office closure is not part of a wider programme amongst the firm’s 24 UK regional offices. A spokesman for the company said: “Bonhams has moved from its Newcastle office and will use the Leeds office to service clients in the North East.

“For some time now, the company has been sending Leeds-based specialists to Newcastle for valuations.

“Today new technology allows clients to provide material for valuations via email, and as a result the company will now provide a full specialist service from Leeds.

“There is one redundancy involved in this change.”