Rugby star Billy Twelvetrees of Gloucester Rugby joined the Harper Field party. He is pictured here (left) on the rostrum with jewellery specialist Alexandra Bowkett, Nick Bowkett and watches and firearms specialist Stuart Maule.
Founded as Stroud Auctions in 2004 and run by Nick, wife Lyn and daughter Alexandra Bowkett, the auction house now employs 10 full-time staff and more than 10 part-time or consultant staff.
The building was designed and built from scratch just outside Stonehouse, to the west of Stroud in Gloucestershire, with green features including solar panels and the purchase of adjacent land for a meadow.
Inside Harper Field’s new saleroom.
The new title is in reference to the name of the land on which the saleroom was built.
Nick, lead auctioneer and ceramics and Asian art specialist, said: “It has always been our aim to have our own premises and not rely on landlords. This has been years in the making.”
The entrance of Harper Field’s new saleroom.
The Bowketts thanked the local authority Stonehouse council “for its enormous support” for the project.
Lyn added: “There is very little space like this in the area but it was important to stay in this location.
The people in Stroud like using local businesses and we get a lot of support from them. But we are also seeing visits and calls from the broader area from south Wales to Bristol.”
The site, close to junction 13 of M5 and Stonehouse railway station, is on the banks of the Stroudwater Navigation canal. Harper Field is supporting charity Cotswold Boatmobility with a landing stage as part of its investment.
