Owners Steve Sharp and Sybelle Thomson, who have run the auction house firm in Scotland for over a decade, last year bought the Carlisle-based operation from another Thomson family member.
The Carlisle saleroom has now moved to larger premises on the Burgh Road Industrial Estate and the firm is searching for a new saleroom in the Scottish Borders.
The company hired Borders auctioneer Frank Forrest last month. He previously worked at Swan & Turner in Jedburgh until it closed earlier this year after owner Harrison & Hetherington decided not to renew the lease on its premises.
Fifth generation
Thomson Roddick, which employs more than 20 staff, also runs salerooms in Edinburgh, Dumfries and offices in Fife and Southport, Merseyside.
Sybelle Thomson is the fifth generation of the Thomson family to run the firm that began in 1880.
Sybelle Thomson.
Sharp said: “We are currently looking for a suitable premises in the Borders and are looking to recruit a passionate trainee for our business.”
The new Carlisle premises includes more car-parking space, extra storage and a small, purpose-built saleroom to provide an “intimate” space and not a cavernous warehouse.
Sharp added: “We wanted to create a comfortable space with plenty of seats rather than a cold and echoey auction room.”
Book sales will continue to be run by family member John Thomson and the firm will hold a Scottish Borders artist sale in November in Edinburgh.
Last week the firm held an auction of antiquarian books, pictures, works of art and memorabilia from the estates of the late actors Geoffrey Bayldon and Alan Rowe.
“ We wanted to create a comfortable space rather than a cold and echoey auction room
Thomson Roddick
Established: 1880
Next sale: 19 October
