Rumours of its impending closure first arose about a month ago when a client of the auctioneer’s rang the Antiques Trade Gazette to complain that a cheque issued to him by Academy had not been honoured.
On contacting Academy, the Antiques Trade Gazette was told that Northcote House, where the auction firm holds its sales, would be closed for August for refurbishment but would reopen for a sale on September 13 which would include all lots that had originally been marked for the cancelled August sale.
However, following further calls from Academy clients, it was confirmed by estate agents Colin Bibra that they had been retained to sell Northcote House by its owners, an Athens-based company.
It is not clear where this leaves Academy, though several attempts to secure an interview with the company’s administration manager, Barbara Dixon, have been unsuccessful.
A representative of Colin Bibra said it was possible that Academy would be allowed to hold a final sale at Northcote House before the building was sold, but that he had no knowledge if any such arrangement had been made.
