THIS year of great change has altered dramatically the way in which auction house sales are both seen and conducted.

With sales postponed and auction houses closed during both lockdowns, there has been a shift to the digital marketplace.

For Wotton Auction Rooms, this has had a positive effect on the business.

Philip Taubenheim, managing director of the auction rooms, said: "We found a huge rush of entries once sales resumed, with many families having taken the opportunity whilst being at home to finally sort out attics, cupboards, drawers and sell unwanted items.

"This often included re-arranging part of the house to include better office space."

Mr Taubenheim said that more people were now bidding online, without visiting the auction rooms at all.

"The number of people bidding via the online platform without attending the saleroom but relying purely on details provided by the auction room, has risen from around 45 to 50 per cent of lots sold before lockdown, to a figure on average of 75 to 80 per cent," he said.

"The first sale after lockdown saw over 3,000 registered buyers and this in turn has pushed prices to higher levels."

The auction rooms in Wotton-under-Edge are conducted from two large buildings, a Victorian Tabernacle and the adjacent Sunday School, both these have two floors, two staircases, two exits, allowing viewing for each auction.

"At the moment, although outwardly closed, the rooms are bursting on the inside to capacity with items now being sorted and catalogued for release into the early December auction, which includes a particularly strong 600 lot section of 20th century furnishings and art work," said Mr Taubenheim.

To view the sale online visit www.wottonauctionrooms.co.uk or www.the-saleroom.com