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Saws under the hammer Saws under the hammer
(about 4 hours later)
Dave Harvey BBC Business Correspondent, West The auctioneer said some lots were going for good pricesDave Harvey BBC Business Correspondent, West The auctioneer said some lots were going for good prices
This is not Sotheby's. The auctioneer stands on an upended bucket, surrounded by the sanders, planers, and saws he is selling.This is not Sotheby's. The auctioneer stands on an upended bucket, surrounded by the sanders, planers, and saws he is selling.
Everything is covered in a layer of sawdust, including many of the bidders.Everything is covered in a layer of sawdust, including many of the bidders.
Joiners and carpenters crowd among the equipment that turned out bespoke Crabtree Kitchens for 25 years.Joiners and carpenters crowd among the equipment that turned out bespoke Crabtree Kitchens for 25 years.
The auctioneer gets proceedings underway: "Good morning, it's a sad day - we've had a few of these recently."The auctioneer gets proceedings underway: "Good morning, it's a sad day - we've had a few of these recently."
"There were tears this morning, yes," Richard Morley tells me. He was one of Crabtree's directors, and knows every saw, every compressor."There were tears this morning, yes," Richard Morley tells me. He was one of Crabtree's directors, and knows every saw, every compressor.
"A business is not just money and product - this was a family. But in the last six months our sales just vanished. And without sales, we had no deposits, and no cash. So we had no choice but to close.""A business is not just money and product - this was a family. But in the last six months our sales just vanished. And without sales, we had no deposits, and no cash. So we had no choice but to close."
'Paid holiday''Paid holiday'
It is a familiar story, although it is the first time I have seen the impact of the recession up so close.It is a familiar story, although it is the first time I have seen the impact of the recession up so close.
Ninety per cent of Crabtree's sales were to Londoners, working in the City.Ninety per cent of Crabtree's sales were to Londoners, working in the City.
"The bankers' bonuses have gone, their property is not worth what is was, they all bailed out", Mr Morley says."The bankers' bonuses have gone, their property is not worth what is was, they all bailed out", Mr Morley says.
Across the West of England top-end furniture makers are struggling.Across the West of England top-end furniture makers are struggling.
Smallbone of Devizes is the biggest name, employing some 400 people.Smallbone of Devizes is the biggest name, employing some 400 people.
Shares have been suspended and the staff sent home on paid holiday. The management are seeking a buyer, and are hopeful the firm will survive if a larger company takes them on.Shares have been suspended and the staff sent home on paid holiday. The management are seeking a buyer, and are hopeful the firm will survive if a larger company takes them on.
So who, I wonder, are all these people fighting to buy furniture-making kit?So who, I wonder, are all these people fighting to buy furniture-making kit?
It is no fire sale. A sander the size of a small truck fetches £5,200. A big saw the size of a snooker table goes for £8,000. Good prices, the auctioneer tells me.It is no fire sale. A sander the size of a small truck fetches £5,200. A big saw the size of a snooker table goes for £8,000. Good prices, the auctioneer tells me.
Some, like John Bunford who bought the saw, are cabinet makers still making money. "I've just taken a new man on but who can tell? The next year could be good - or I could end up like this fellow, selling up."Some, like John Bunford who bought the saw, are cabinet makers still making money. "I've just taken a new man on but who can tell? The next year could be good - or I could end up like this fellow, selling up."
'Local customers''Local customers'
Some joiners have so little work they have changed tack. I met three men who were buying up equipment at bankruptcy auctions like this, polishing it up and selling it on.Some joiners have so little work they have changed tack. I met three men who were buying up equipment at bankruptcy auctions like this, polishing it up and selling it on.
Imaginative, yes, but it also tells you there is still a market for furniture kit, and by implication for bespoke furniture itself.Imaginative, yes, but it also tells you there is still a market for furniture kit, and by implication for bespoke furniture itself.
Bravest of all, perhaps, are Zoe Wilkins and Terry Mit. Ms Wilkins was Crabtree's designer, Terry Mit the master craftsman.Bravest of all, perhaps, are Zoe Wilkins and Terry Mit. Ms Wilkins was Crabtree's designer, Terry Mit the master craftsman.
They saw the once hugely successful firm collapse in six months. And now they are setting up a new kitchen firm, "Truly Bespoke". People who are not moving still want new kitchens, Ms Wilkins saysThey saw the once hugely successful firm collapse in six months. And now they are setting up a new kitchen firm, "Truly Bespoke". People who are not moving still want new kitchens, Ms Wilkins says
"Are you mad?" I ask them. "No, we don't think so," Ms Wilkins smiles."Are you mad?" I ask them. "No, we don't think so," Ms Wilkins smiles.
"We are going to be smaller than Crabtree, and we will serve local customers, not Londoners.""We are going to be smaller than Crabtree, and we will serve local customers, not Londoners."
The plan makes sense. A decade of big bonuses bred an industry of top-drawer kitchen companies, but they all relied on the big city salaries. Truly Bespoke aims to make small beautiful.The plan makes sense. A decade of big bonuses bred an industry of top-drawer kitchen companies, but they all relied on the big city salaries. Truly Bespoke aims to make small beautiful.
"We don't want to get too big. So many firms are going out of business, but there are still people who want a handmade kitchen. And many who aren't moving house have decided to rebuild their kitchen instead," Ms Wilkins added."We don't want to get too big. So many firms are going out of business, but there are still people who want a handmade kitchen. And many who aren't moving house have decided to rebuild their kitchen instead," Ms Wilkins added.
The firm has a head start. As well as picking up some of Crabtree's equipment at the auction, they have three customers, stranded when the firm went bust. But as I look around the saws and planers going under the hammer, I still think they are taking a brave step.The firm has a head start. As well as picking up some of Crabtree's equipment at the auction, they have three customers, stranded when the firm went bust. But as I look around the saws and planers going under the hammer, I still think they are taking a brave step.
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