Auction rooms to go

HISTORICAL auction rooms in Great Dunmow will finally be knocked down if planning permission is granted for 12 new houses.

The rooms on Chequers Lane have been derelict since the last item was sold in November 2007, marking the end of 121 years of auctions.

The official closure was January 1, 2008. Since then a family of trustees have been negotiating with developers to build houses and bids of over �1million have been received for the land.

The trustees, led by Clive Welch, have now submitted plans for 12 two-story houses with 20 parking spaces (two disabled), four garages and a space for rubbish bins.

This is likely to be disappointing for former customers, ex-workers and town residents who were sad to see the rooms closed.

Mullucks Wells estate agents had been conducting the art, antique and house auctions and chairman Tim Trembath voiced his sadness after the closure.

He said: "From small beginnings when we used to do three sales a year, the place grew. But there was no growth in the market for the last 10 years.

"It was sad to lose the tradition but it was a wise business decision."

Mr Trembath worked at the site for 35 years and saw people come from all over the country to attend the auctions.

"I think the most expensive item I remember selling was a Silver Charles II tankard that sold for �28,000. We had lots of very interesting items there," he said.

The auction rooms closed when Mullucks Wells decided to put more resources into housing to profit on the boom in the area during 2007-08.

The site had become synonymous with Great Dunmow's history as it had been trading since 1886, originally as a cattle market. Over 250 people turned out for the final sale.

A decision will be made on April 29 by the district council's planning committee.

? DO YOU have fond memories of bygone years at the auction rooms? Let us know by e-mailing editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk