Pictures Caption: Sue Haswell, Chris Kirkham and Charles Hanson at the launch of Hansons London & The Normansfield Theatre, Teddington
Visitors flocked to meet TV celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson at a celebration to launch an expansion of his antiques business in London and the south.
The event was held at Hansons London’s new valuation and consignment office in Bridge Road, Hampton Court Village, on Monday (Jan 15).
Mr Hanson was on hand to cut the ribbon alongside his London team, business development consultant Sue Haswell and associate director Chris Kirkham.
Mr Hanson said: “It’s great to be here. We were delighted so many people came along to help us celebrate our London launch. We hope many people will come to know and love our friendly, personal service. Our aim is to inject some Derbyshire warmth into the capital.”
Hansons London will be offering free valuations at its Hampton Court Village office on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10am-4pm, plus home visits. Its monthly auctions will be held at The Saleroom, The Normansfield Theatre, Langdon Down Centre, 2A Langdon Park, Teddington. The first auction is on February 10 and already more than 500 lots have been consigned.
For Mr Hanson, a familiar face on TV shows like Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, the expansion fulfils a dream as he approaches a birthday milestone.
He said: “I’m an ambitious man and I’ll be 40 in May. If I don’t do it now, I never will.”
He launched Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, in 2005 and his business has gone from strength to strength.
He said: “There is a niche in London for our service – auctioneering with a passion, great customer care and selling with an element of theatre.”
“I can’t be bothered having a façade in Mayfair – I’d rather do business in Hampton Court and be welcoming to local people.
“That element can be lost in those slick, front-of-house desks which many people find off-putting. There’s no real fun in London auctioneering now, but we’ll take that to the capital from Derbyshire.”
Visit Hansons Auctioneers Valuations and Consignment Office, 77 Bridge Road, Hampton Court Village, KT8 9HH, on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10am-4pm, for free valuations. To find out more, call 020 8979 7954 or 07710 732040.
