The firm was founded in 1835. In 1982 brothers Denis and John Ridgway took over the firm and opened sister company Old Mill Antiques Centre, next to the auction house on Mill Street, in 1996.
Denis died in 2015 and it has since been run by John, supported by brother Philip, Denis’ widow Beryl and sister-in-law Lindsey.
Philip, who had been an antiques dealer for more than 50 years, died earlier this year and now the family have decided to concentrate on the antiques centre which houses 40 dealers.
“Return to my roots”
Director John Ridgway told ATG: “We could not continue running two businesses and the antiques centre is doing very well. I have decided to return to my roots and return to dealing.”
He said he will trade from a cabinet at the centre and said he is “looking forward to being out dealing again and visiting fairs such as Newark”.
The auction house had held bi-monthly antiques and collectables auctions and the last sale was on October 23.
