Halls receives keys to new multi-million pound headquarters
Directors of Halls have received the keys to their new multi-million pound, state-of-the-art headquarters and fine art salerooms in Shrewsbury, which will open for business on March 1.
The company will begin moving from the Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury across town to its new headquarters in the Battlefield area in the next fortnight.
Halls’ directors say they have outgrown their existing premises and are looking forward to expanding their services in the new 20,000 square feet building, which is adjacent to Shrewsbury Auction Centre. The new HQ has two fine art salerooms, dedicated offices, storage space and 110 parking spaces.
Halls’ directors David Giles and Jeremy Lamond received the keys from builders S. J. Roberts Construction Limited of Marton on Friday.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that this plan has come together so well and I believe this new building is a marvellous development for Halls and for Shrewsbury,” said Mr Giles. “It will take us into an exciting new era.
“We have been receiving wonderful comments about the new building from clients who are looking forward to visiting. Many of them were reluctant to visit us at the Welsh Bridge because of access and parking problems.
“I sincerely believe that we now have the best dedicated auction site anywhere in the UK. We are also delighted to have Battlefield 1403 on board with us to provide quality a café facility, which will be a great asset.
“We want to make our new headquarters a great place to come and do business and also to visit for a cup of tea or coffee and bite to eat.”
Mr Giles praised S. J. Roberts Construction Limited for their work and support throughout the project. “They have been a pleasure to work with and we sincerely thank them,” he added.
The building is a dream come true for Mr Lamond, Halls’ fine art director. “This building represents a giant leap forward for Halls,” he said. “It’s something that we have wanted to do for a generation and now the dream is finally realised.
“We are confident that it will become an important powerhouse for the fine art department, expanding the business that has been developed at the Welsh Bridge over the past 50 years.
“Our new, bespoke fine art facilities make us one of the best regional salerooms in the country and will allow the fine art department to expand and offer a greater sales programme, with more dedicated specialist auctions, to our ever-widening national and international market.”
S. J. Roberts Construction Limited’ contracts manager Lee Morris revealed that around 40 staff were involved in the building project, which began last August and was completed on time. He was delighted with the finished product.
Around eight kilometres of electric cabling and 36,000 bricks have gone into the new building, which occupies a site adjacent to Shrewsbury Auction Centre, which Halls also manages. The building is ‘A’ rated for energy performance.
The agricultural and fine art auctioneers, estate agents, surveyors and valuers currently employ 30 people at the Welsh Bridge and 125 across the business, which has offices in Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Oswestry, Welshpool, Ellesmere, Bishops Castle, Kidderminster and Worcester.
