Dealer ’s Diary
Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.
► Manheim Auctions have closed five of their 19 auction sites across Britain. Wimbledon, Mansfield, Haydock, Gloucester and Bruntingthorpe have all now ceased to operate as auctions. BCA, too, are making big changes, with both Peterborough and Derby having closed since the end of July. BCA have, however, also opened a number of additional sites including a massive 120-acre facility in Corby.
The cause, of course, is the rise in online auctions; something that started during Covid but which BCA in particular found worked much better for them than running public auctions. As a result, BCA is now 100% online and almost certainly won’t run live auctions again. Manheim, however, are still offering live auctions at its remaining 14 sites alongside online bidding, though these are not open to the general public and only trade account holders can attend.
The bottom line is that with auctions being held online only, the type of site needed has changed. Really, all that’s now needed is parking space, basic offices and bay(s) for valeting, preparing test reports and photography. Stuff like payment offices, cafeterias and of course the rostrums and public seating areas are now history, and there’s no need for a massive customer car park either. There are also far fewer requirements and restrictions when it comes to location for business sites that don’t have to welcome hundreds of visitors several times a week.
Word on the street is that BCA Peterborough has closed at least in part due to a property developer making a hard-to-refuse offer to buy the site. Some observers have also suggested that Peterborough has been underutilised for some years; late vehicle fleet sales went elsewhere some time ago, and although there were three auction halls on site, only one was used. Its surroundings have also changed significantly in the 40-odd years that it’s been operated. When started, it was in a relatively undeveloped area of fenland with clear space between it and the main town. But since then, a huge retail and industrial estate has grown up around it, and the site must surely have been worth many millions. And with online selling taking over from inperson, the auction really doesn’t need to be in such an expensive location.
