Chiswick Auctions is moving to Barley Mow Passage near Chiswick High Street.
The west London auction house is moving back to Barley Mow Passage, just off Chiswick High Road, this summer and plans an expansion of departments and staff.
It currently employs around 70 staff and is about to launch its 20th department with Modern prints and multiples (which will hold three sales a year).
The firm had operated nearby on Barley Mow Passage 25 years ago but later moved to Colville Road in Acton around 10 years later.
Leigh Osborne, owner and managing director of Chiswick Auctions, sold its current premises to a housing developer which plans a high-rise apartment block (as part of the Bollo Lane development) and began looking for a new home.
The sale completes in the summer and the departments will gradually move over in the coming months, all to be concluded by September.
Chiswick has signed a 10-year lease and the new headquarters and saleroom are on the ground and first floor of the Barley Mow Centre in the former Sanderson wallpaper factory (and opposite Voysey House which was also occupied by Sanderson).
Chiswick Auctions new premises in Barley Mow Passage.
The building has a large ground-floor café and Chiswick will hold events, valuations, previews and auctions there.
Osborne said: “We didn’t want to be on the high street.
We wanted a modern warehouse-style gallery space and the opportunity for Barley Mow came up earlier this year.
“I had a vision for the company. I wanted to be innovative, attract more younger buyers and be more funky.
“With this new location we can be more flexible. We have the opportunity to start afresh and learn from our past mistakes.”
However, to provide more space and storage it has also taken a 10-year lease on a warehouse at Roslin Square Industrial Estate in Acton to house its Interiors, Homes and Antiques sales.
This venue offers free parking and will also host valuations and collections.
With the separation of the interiors sales it means the firm has more f lexibility to hold longer previews of other sales in the Barley Mow gallery.
After the move the firm will have 15,000 sq ft of storage, 3000 sq ft of viewing space and office space for 100 people.
Chiswick Auctions' Leigh Osborne in the new premises.
Osborne added: “Chiswick Auctions is being reborn. We are streamlining everything from the phone systems to collections. Things will vastly improve for vendors and buyers.”
Its last sale in Colville Road will be in July. In August it plans a sale of all its unsold lots, everything not collected by vendors and various fixtures and fittings from the building.
As part of its move back into the heart of Chiswick it plans to partner with local museums on events and marketing initiatives such as Chiswick House, Syon House and Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery.
Its South Kensington valuation office on Fulham Road will close when the lease expires and the firm is searching for a new location in Mayfair.
Growing gains
Leigh Osborne, who took full ownership of Chiswick Auctions in 2019.
Leigh Osborne, owner of Chiswick Auctions, began as a receptionist at the firm in 2008 when William Rouse, his good friend, bought a half share in the company.
When Rouse’s partner decided to sell his share in 2013, Osborne bought it and then when Rouse retired in 2019 he took over sole ownership.
Osborne said turnover is currently £15m and he has a target to grow 10% a year. Chiswick aims to become the biggest auction house (not in the top tier) “in the next three years, ”Osborne added.
