Halls Heritage Magazine Autumn/Winter 2019

AUTUMN | WINTER | 2019

Read the History of Halls as we celebrate our Anniversary Success for our Young Recruits Pg 4

Sell your House this Winter Pg 15

Learn how to be a Livestock Auctioneer Pg 6

Halls is one of the country’s most well known and respected firms of Estate Agents, Chartered Surveyors, Auctioneers and Valuers. Find us at one of our eight branches servicing Shropshire, Worcestershire, Mid Wales, the West Midlands and neighbouring counties.

1

SHREWSBURY HEAD OFFICE SY4 3DR 01743 450 700 reception@hallsgb.com

4

ELLESMERE SY12 0AW 01691 622 602 ellesmere@hallsgb.com

6

WELSHPOOL SY21 7LH 01938 555 552 welshpool@hallsgb.com

2

SHREWSBURY SY1 1QJ 01743 236 444 shrewsbury@hallsgb.com

5

OSWESTRY SY11 1RB 01691 670 320 oswestry@hallsgb.com

7

WHITCHURCH SY13 1DW 01948 663 230 whitchurch@hallsgb.com

3

BISHOPS CASTLE SY9 5AD 01588 638 755 bishopscastle@hallsgb.com

8

KIDDERMINSTER DY11 5AP 01562 820 880 kidderminster@hallsgb.com

A Year to Remember As we begin to celebrate our 175th anniversary we can reflect on an exceptionally busy 2019 which has not been without its testing moments, but once again the dedication and professionalism of our staff has shone through.

No one can say that they have been immune to the effects of Brexit but here in the provinces we have probably been more immune than many in industrialised areas and the south east. The residential property market has been most resilient with certain local exceptions and the take up of new builds has been remarkable.

In the agricultural world the one thing we do not really want to talk about is the weather. We have however dealt with a considerable number of farms for sale and the interest and take up, particularly at the top end has probably never been better. Our Commercial Department is remarkable with evermore high-end instructions, literally across the UK, so that everyone is used to seeing those blue boards wherever they go.

David Giles Managing Director

We have supplemented our Rural Professional team yet again due to the ever increasing volume of work that we are instructed to undertake and now have a team second to none.

A special mention needs to be made in the fine art world. After 23 years we are sadly losing Jeremy Lamond who has decided to move to the south west and we wish him and his wife Jessica all the very best for the future. His place is to be taken by Gerry Berwyn-Jones who has a wealth of experience in the fine art world.

We hope that the planned programme of events to celebrate our anniversary will involve many people and organisations so please keep an eye on the agenda.

Contents 4-7 Company News

Read the latest news from our branches and employees from charity events to new offices

8-13 The History of Halls

As we enter our 175th Year read all about how the company was formed and developed over the years

14-17 Featured Homes

See a selection of our properties currently on the market

18-19 Selling Your Home This Winter

How to make the most out of the cold season when it comes to selling your property

Very best wishes to everyone.

20-21 Do’s and Don’ts of Buying a Pub

Read our top tips of what to look out for if considering buying a pub

22-23 Commercial Property Focus 24 Smoke Alarms

30-31 How to Succeed as a Livestock Auctioneer 32-33 Auction Sale Dates 2020 35 Planning Advice

The latest landlord legislations

36 The Woodland Carbon Guarantee

25 Modern & Contemporary Art Auctions

37 Farms and Land Summary

26 The Rise in Chinese Export Silver

38-39 Looking for a New Income Stream for your Land?

27 Fine Art Auction Dates 2020 28-29 End of an Era for Fine Art Team 3

‘The Big Move’ After operating for 16 years in the same offices the Welshpool branch of Halls has now relocated to its new central premises on the main high street of Welshpool. The new office allows for better window displays with easier access for people to view as they walk past, as well as a welcoming bright and friendly space for our clients and staff.

Chris Gill, Branch Manager of Halls Welshpool commented; “Six months ago we had nine houses on the market and now we have almost 50 on our books. Since moving to our new premises in Broad Street we have taken on a further £4.3m of properties.”

Since relocating the branch has seen a significant increase in the number of properties instructed for sale. Chris attributes the boom in business to the move, and a new, enthusiastic team! As well as offering more properties to the market, sales are also strong. Chris added: “The property market in Welshpool is buoyant with many people looking to move into the area.

We recently sold properties to families from Berkshire and Brighton who were attracted by the beautiful scenery here."

The Team: From left to right Corinne Rowley, Chris Gill, Ceri Woosnam, and Deborah Hales

3 Feds, 3 Peaks’ Halls Marketing Manager, Megan Evans (pictured bottom left), has conquered the ‘3 Feds, 3 Peaks’ Challenge with over 100 members from the Montgomeryshire, Radnor and Brecknock Young Farmers Club federations.

The one-off event challenged members of the three federations to climb the highest peaks in Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Brecon covering a total of 26 miles as well as a tough 2,376m of ascent. Starting their first climb at 5am at Cadair Berwyn the YFC members then moved down the county to Great Rhos before finishing the day by summiting Pen Y Fan in glorious sunshine.

Megan said: “It was a really tough day and I’d never done anything like this before but I’m so glad I did it. The three federations had never worked together on a project before and we collected over £8,000 for the DPJ Foundation and Mind Cymru to help raise awareness of mental health in rural communities and encourage young people to try and tackle the stigma around it. I worked out that we’d done over 55,000 steps and every single one was worthwhile.”

4

Jack’s Auction Success Anyone who thinks auctioneers must have worked in the industry for many years may be surprised to see 19-yearold Jack Austerberry behind the rostrum here at Halls Fine Art. Our trainee auctioneer, and one of the youngest watch specialists in the country, Jack recently pitted his skills in the national Novice Auctioneer of the Year competition run by Nava, the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers on 9th October. For budding auctioneers this competition, at Chateau Impney, is one of the most important events of the year, where competitors must show off their skill, knowledge and presence on the rostrum to win.

Jack found his way into this industry by fixing watches at school, buying parts from all around the world and eventually began repairing watches for friends, then acquiring his first clients at just 16 years old. When he’s not busy acquiring and repairing watches Jack spends his spare time building, restoring and racing pre-war automobiles and locomotives.

“My favourite acquisition to date would have to be a 1961 Gentleman’s Tudor Submariner ref 7928, which I believe to be the ‘working man’s divers watch’ when compared to Rolex but with many years of active use and traceable provenance gains an added dimension.”

Comments Jack.

Jack commented; “I was the youngest entrant in the competition but was really excited to get stuck in and although I didn’t get the trophy, I was very pleased to be placed fourth overall, having only been on the rostrum once prior to the competition.”

Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley Jewellery Specialist here at Halls Fine Art Department added; “Jack’s been showing great promise since joining us straight after school as a junior watch specialist. He’s curated two Halls watch auctions already which included the sale of a 1969 Cartier Tank in 18ct gold which went under the hammer for £11,000 and a 1968 Omega Speedmaster which fetched £3,200.”

For more information please contact Jack Austerberry at Halls Sales Room in Shrewsbury 01743 450700

jack@hallsgb.com

A New Lease of Life Leanne Burgoyne has recently taken over the lease of the Halls Auction House Café officially as of 1st October. Having run the café since January, Leanne was very familiar with how it all worked so when the opportunity to take over the lease arose Leanne knew it was one not to be missed.

After starting her career some 25 years ago in the Chelmsford Livestock Market café, Leanne is more than experienced with auction houses and has a good understanding of the love that customers have for good “home cooked” style food.

“The one thing I’ve noticed about the Halls Auction House café is the strong customer loyalty we have; you get a real community feeling and the support I’ve received since taking over the café has been amazing” comments Leanne.

The Halls Auction House café is located at Bowmen Way, Battlefield where we hold regular Livestock, Machinery & Plant and Fine Art & Interior auctions. It has great facilities for parking and access being just off the A49.

Leanne and her team provide fresh, homemade breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas using British produce sourced from local suppliers.

“We are trying to make the café as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible, and have recently changed to plastic free tea and coffee suppliers as well as using biodegradable cups for takeaway drinks” says Leanne.

We wish Leanne and her team all the best for the future and look forward to trying all the delicious cakes. The café is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm.

5

Celebrating 30 Years at Halls It’s not very often that you hear of people staying in the same job at the same company for longer than 10 years these days, however that’s not the case here at Halls. We are proud to say that a number of our members of staff have been here since the very beginning of their working lives.

This year we have been lucky to celebrate not one but two pearl anniversaries within the company, Stephen Land and Lynn Dean have both celebrated their 30-year work anniversaries at Halls.

Stephen Land and Lynn Dean with Managing Director David Giles

Lynn Dean officially joined Halls at the end of July 1989, having previously worked at Halls part-time for two years while studying at the local college, she was then offered a full-time position as a Receptionist at the old HQ at Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury. Over the next 30 years Lynn has progressed through the company, when she eventually took on the role of Auctioneer Secretary which saw her move to the Harlescott Livestock market firstly and then subsequently to the current livestock market at Battlefield.

‘I’ve loved being part of the team here at Halls, the staff are great and I’ve built a strong relationship with all of our regular customers, for them coming to the market isn’t just about buying or selling it’s the social aspect of having a nice cup of tea in the café and chatting to everyone,’ says Lynn.

Stephen and Lynn enjoying the celebrations

The market has seen a lot of changes over the years including the BSE and Foot & Mouth outbreak which had a huge impact on the trade across all Livestock markets in the UK, ‘there have been difficult times but we’ve always come back and our customers are very loyal, it would be great to see some younger generation farmers coming to the market in the future, commented Lynn.

Stephen began his career with Halls only a week later in August 1989 as a Clerical Assistant working in the Livestock Markets, at Farm Sales and with the Fine Art department on sale days. Shortly after Steve joined, his role gradually expanded into the print room initially helping to finish sale catalogues and property details before desktop publishing became widely used. Before he knew it Steve became responsible for the printing and finishing of all in house stationery, using ink printing presses in those days.

“The potential variety of work is what first attracted me to Halls, and is still something I value to this day. It’s been great to be part of the company as it has expanded and developed over the years, significantly for my role was the widespread introduction of computers into all aspects of the business, not to mention the increase in paperwork which seems to accompany everything these days" says Stephen.

We’d like to thank both Lynn and Steve for their longstanding service to Halls and wish them all the best for the future.

New Start at Barker Street The Barker Street branch welcome to the team Shannon Onions, Shannon will be taking on the role of Sales and Lettings Negotiator.

Shannon joined the Halls team in October, having previously worked at Spencer Jakeman and more recently at Roger Parry doing lettings.

6

In her spare time, she enjoys socialising, spending time with her family and walking her dog Marlow (a cockapoo) up Lyth Hill and Cardingmill Valley.

We’d like to wish her all the best in her new role.

If you are interested in selling or letting a property or would like more information about our services please contact Halls Shrewsbury: T: 01743 236444 E: shrewsbury@hallsgb.com

Josh Participating in the London Marathon On the 26th April 2020, Josh Balsdon from our Kidderminster Office will be participating in the London Marathon.

Josh is a keen runner and completed his first marathon in Manchester earlier this year. Having completed his first marathon in 4hrs 25minutes, he is hoping to improve his time and is targeting a sub 4hr finish in London.

‘I’ve always enjoyed running and I think the London Marathon is like the crème de la crème of running challenges, with over 450,000 people entering being selected alone felt like a huge success and I really wasn’t expecting it this year as it was the first time I had applied" comments Josh.

The London Marathon brings together 40,000 people aiming to raise money for their chosen charities, with the 2020 Marathon marking the 40th anniversary since the event was founded it is promising to be extra special. Josh has chosen to run in aid of two charities local to Worcestershire and Shropshire; The You Are Not Alone (YANA) Project and Midlands Air Ambulance, two charities that have a vital role in protecting rural communities.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE (YANA) PROJECT The YANA Project seek to offer support to Farmers and Rural Workers who are suffering with Stress or Depression.

Agriculture is one of the most demanding and stressful industries with many daily pressures being uncontrollable. The YANA Project seen to help the rural community who continue to ‘Tough it out’ by providing help and support from advisors who understand the industry and the pressures that come with the occupation.

Josh comments ‘Living and working in a rural environment has given me a firsthand experience of how vital charities like these are to our communities, and as well as raising money for two well worthy causes I’m also excited to challenge myself and reach the next level in my running career.’

If you would like to support Josh, please visit his just giving page where any donations will be greatly received.

MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE Midlands Air Ambulance are responsible for maintaining 3 air ambulances and operate over 6 counties including; Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the West Midlands. Operating from 3 bases, the team are able to reach 90% of these counties within 8 minutes, making rural locations accessible when most needed.

The service is an indispensable asset to the rural community in times of need and relies solely on the generous public and business donations to raise the £9m required to remain operational each year.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JoshBalsdon

Welcome Back!

The Rural Professional team welcome back Ben Dutton. After spending 12 months working at Halls during his sandwich year from Harper Adams University back in 2018, Ben has recently graduated receiving a 2:1 Bsc (Hons) degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management and Halls are pleased to welcome him back to the Rural Professional team based in Shrewsbury.

‘I was very pleased to have been offered a graduate position at Halls Shrewsbury and upon my return I have thoroughly enjoyed helping to organise and run farm dispersal sales and livestock and machinery auctions with the Rural team’ commented Ben. Ben is currently working towards his RICS and CAAV qualifications, and takes a particular interest in Countryside Stewardship and Grant schemes including woodland grant schemes and forestry.

7

The History of Halls Hall, Wateridge and Owen was founded in 1845 under the banner of William Hall & Company and although one of the oldest established firms in the country it misses the record of being Shropshire’s oldest firm by a matter of 4 years. Mr Hall later took into partnership Mr Wateridge (whose family retained connections with the firm for many years) together with Mr Dan Owen, who was a native of Rhos, Wrexham.

8

During the second half of the last century these partners expanded their business with both general and agricultural sales in and around Shrewsbury, of which some records still exist and it soon became well known as agents for some of the local landed estates and for the dispersal of furniture, livestock and shire horses. Regular furniture sales were held in the County Mart, being the purposely rebuilt former Shearman’s Hall adjoining the main office at the top of the High Street and it was soon registered as Shropshire’s principal auction centre.

9

The History of Halls

1900's

About the turn of the century Mr Harry Williams became a partner and eventually its sole proprietor until 1921 when the firm was developed into a limited company under William’s chairmanship with Mr F A Phillips as managing Director. The other partners were Mr H O Ashton, Mr B Lake, Mr C E Warne and Mr H Hunt. The latter being in charge of the Wem office and of course a livestock market.

During the first half of this century, the Partnership continued to expand having opened offices in Oswestry and Wem which increased their interests in livestock marketing and in the sale of horses, for which the firm became particularly well known.

1903

10

In the heyday of the horse, they not only held the well-known monthly Shrewsbury auction in conjunction with the Shire Horse Society Shows, (at which there were sometimes 4 rings selling simultaneously for 2 days) but also had the monthly sales in Newtown, Powys and periodic sales in Oswestry, Llanymynech and Llanrhaedr. During this period also, the firm conducted dispersal sales of the contents of many of the stately homes in Shropshire and for the adjoining counties but sold many landed estates as the change in social structure brought these on the market. Large wool sales were also held at Llanrhaedr.

The Oswestry office was opened by the acquisition of the firm of Messrs Lulham and Doody, which was previously owned by Mr John C Mckie. The first partners in the Oswestry branch were Mr Harry Williams and Mr G A Doody. In 1903 Mr Doody left the firm and Mr F A Phillips took charge of Oswestry where he remained until a limited company was formed in 1921, being followed in Oswestry by Mr A F Thorne and subsequently Mr D B Wilde, who is still well remembered in the Oswestry district. In 1967 the firm was largely concerned in the building of the new Oswestry Cattle Market in which they were partners.

1950's

1970's

In 1952 Mr R B Mullock, Mr E T H Gittins and Mr D B Wilde joined the board of Directors and later Mr B H Owen (no relation to the original partner of that name) also became a director and was made responsible for the firm’s increasing interests in the field of residential property sales. In 1966 the company reverted to a partnership and moved away from the old offices in High Street to new headquarters at Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury with a property office in Shoplatch. The branch at Wellington was opened in 1967 to expand the firm’s interest in the rest of the county under the managership of Mr R J W Evans.

Following the retirement of Mr R B Mullock, the next major change occurred in 1969 with the amalgamation with the well-known local firm, Messrs Pugh and Purcell, who also had substantial interests in Shrewsbury Market. In addition to Mr D Pugh, Mr J Davies and Mr W J E Pearce, the partners of Pugh and Purcell, further new partners were created with the addition of Mr J D Williams, Mr G E Holmes, Mr R R Goff and Mr R J W Evans, the previously senior executives of staff. This amalgamation also created another branch office which was previously run by Pugh and Purcell at Ellesmere and a new property headquarters at The Square, Shrewsbury in the premises formerly occupied by Messrs Grocotts. In 1972 Messrs Coleman and Company were amalgamated with the Wellington branch and the organisation moved to larger modern premises at Market Street where a new furniture saleroom was then erected. At the Welsh Bridge adjoining properties were acquired and some demolished to extend the car park and a new saleroom was subsequently completed.

During the expanding residential property market of the 1970’s and 1980’s the firm was looking for opportunities to increase its interests and accordingly opened offices in Wrexham and Telford. In 1979 under the direction of Mr Derek Pugh the old Bishops Castle market was taken over, completely renovated and reopened to become a well-recognised centre for both fat and store stock. Other additions during this period were at the historic Boars Head Hotel in Bishops Castle which was refurbished and the forming of a partnership to create the insurance and financial arm of Hall, Morris-Jones, now independent.

11

The History of Halls

1980's

1990's

The early death of Mr Brian Owen in 1979 was a blow to the firm but Mr Gittins and Mr Pugh continued as Senior Partners with Mr K J Embrey, Mr G Samuel and Mr J D Towler joining the partnership. Expansion continued with the acquisition of the business of Anthony Wood, with offices in Craven Arms, Knighton and Presteign and the increasing interest in South Shropshire was marked with the opening of new offices in Ludlow.

Approaches from various Institutions throughout 1987 culminated in the eventual decision to sell to General Accident and the 12 branches became part of GA Property Services in December of that year. Mr Gittins and Mr Pearce retired and Mr Pugh was made responsible for the group as a member of the Midland Board of GAPS. On his retirement in 1990, Mr M P Willcock was appointed to the board and in 1991 under his direction the non-residential sections of the business was repurchased together with similar parts of the Worcestershire business of the former Banks and Silvers partnership.

A new company was then formed and on the retirement of Mr John Williams, the Fine Art department was put under the direction of Mr Richard Allen in 1992, formerly a senior director of Sothebys, London. This lead to substantial upgrading of this activity.

The firm also continued to expand in the residential market and with agricultural and pedigree livestock sales. By the mid 1990’s the company had interests in four livestock markets in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bishops Castle and Kidderminster.

12

2000's

Following the BSE scare and Foot & Mouth outbreak in early 2000’s, Halls Auctioneers were the first market to start selling Livestock in England again on February 12th 2002. As we approached the end of our license to operate Shrewsbury Market which was located at Harlescott from 1956, we proposed a relocation to the council which would offer a new, modern facility of a size appropriate to the times and would be more cost-effective and efficient to run. The impressive new Shrewsbury Livestock Market officially opened for business in March 2006.

The most recent development for Halls Holdings Ltd came in 2013 after much planning and preparations the company relocated from its main HQ at Welsh Bridge where it had been operating since the 60’s to a new luxury purpose-built office on Bowmen Way Battlefield, close to the Shrewsbury Livestock Market. The new site consisted of two state of the art Fine Art sale rooms, modern offices for the expanding teams, an on-site café and a large car park. To this day Halls continue to be one of the oldest most respected firms of estate agents, chartered surveyors, auctioneers and valuers in the UK. We now work from 9 offices across Shropshire, Worcestershire, Mid-Wales, the West Midlands and neighbouring counties. Our team of over hundred have an unrivalled knowledge of the local markets and specialist areas allowing us to continue to provide the very best advice and services to our clients.

We would like to thank our clients for their ongoing support and are looking forward to celebrating this anniversary year, and to continue the future success of Halls and its employees.

13

Featured Homes

Waen, Mochdre, Newtown, Powys, SY16 4LA Guide price

£525,000

Welsh stone long house situated in approx 6.5 acre plot with far reaching views over the surrounding countryside. The property has a detached home office/gym, 4 bay block barn. The property boasts many character features, Rayburn, family room with full height picture windows maximising the simply stunning outlook. Viewing recommended to fully appreciate the size, land, outbuildings and situation.

14

■ Stunning Views ■ Approximately 6.5 acres ■ Outbuildings ■ Many Character Features ■ Oil Fired Central Heating ■ Wood burning Rayburn cooker

Avondale, Stoke On Tern, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 2DR Offers in the region of

£549,500

A particularly desirable and spacious detached country house with beautifully presented accommodation, large garage block and extensive gardens, set along a country lane with wonderful farmland views. IN ALL ABOUT 0.5 ACRE.

■ A desirable country house ■ Beautifully presented ■ Large garage block ■ Extensive lawned gardens ■ Wonderful farmland views ■ ABOUT 0.5 ACRE

15

New Build

Hall Bank House, Hall Bank, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, SY5 0RF Offers in the region of

£499,995

A beautifully designed and exceptionally well appointed newly built detached house providing spacious accommodation and easily maintained gardens in this most popular rural village.

16

■ Newly Built ■ A beautifully designed house ■ Exceptionally well appointed ■ Spacious accommodation ■ Easily maintained gardens ■ Popular rural village location

Traethllawn, Welshpool, SY21 7ST

£650,000 Traethllawn is probably one of the finest houses of its era built in Welshpool. It was built around 1850 and is constructed of predominantly stone under a slated roof with a later single storey brick extension. Attractive oak panelled entrance vestibule, spacious reception hall, dining room, drawing room, sitting room, conservatory, kitchen, shower room, study & utility room on the ground floor. 2 further floors upstairs with 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. No onward chain.

■ Imposing Residence ■ Handsomely Appointed ■ Grade I I Listed ■ Georgian Style ■ Landscaped Gardens ■ Just Under 2 Acres

17

Looking for a HOT sale this winter?

Spring is generally the most popular time of year to sell a house, with large numbers of buyers looking to move into a new place before the school year begins. But if you decide to sell your home during the winter, experts say you could reap a reward in cold, hard cash.

For more information and advice please contact James Hickling Residential Branch Manager, Kidderminster, DY11 5AP 01562 820880 jamesh@hallsgb.com

18

Since the advent of the internet and the ease and speed that a property search can now be done, the old ‘seasons’ argument is beginning to disappear. There are of course peaks and troughs in regard to numbers which will always point at the Spring and Summer months seeing a higher number of sales, but that is due to the higher number of properties available to buy. Properties still sell in the Autumn and Winter months and certainly there is evidence of New Year being a particularly busy time for buyers searching for their next home.

Whilst it may not seem like the perfect time, but moving house is often prioritised in the New Year, so you might be surprised by the strength of demand come January and February.

Property websites are often extremely well visited over the Christmas break, and the winter cold will sift out the more uncertain buyers on your behalf.

Also with fewer properties on the market, there is less competition.

Garden Space A messy garden can detract buyers.

Winter weather can tire garden furniture, and make it look unsightly. If possible, clear patio furniture away, if not, ensure they are securely covered.

It’s worth spending a few hours trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, removing fallen leaves and dead plants to make a tidy outdoor space.

It is also a good idea to trim back overhanging branches, particularly those blocking the windows in order to encourage as much light into the property as possible. Increased rainfall over the winter months take its toll on guttering too, so check the gutters and drain covers are properly cleared of dead leaves and other debris, as leaky gutters and downpipes cause damage and are unappealing.

Here are a few tips to make sure your home is at its best, whatever the weather.

Make sure it’s warm If you are out at work all day, pre-set the heating to come on ahead of the scheduled visit. Potential buyers will want to know that your central heating works well, as well as feeling comfortable in your home.

If you don’t normally have the radiators turned on upstairs, or in any spare rooms, you may want to turn them up while you are selling your house.

First impressions Gardens can often be a bit messy at this time of year. Make sure that the front garden in particular is neat and tidy, with the leaves raked up and the edges of any grass trimmed neatly.

Decoration Do feel free to decorate your house for Christmas or other festivals, but don’t forget the golden rule to avoid clutter.

Try to clear any moss off the path, and add a couple of pots with brightly coloured winter A twinkling Christmas tree bedding plants by the front door. will be attractive, but try not to make the room feel smaller Even a new doormat or a freshly-painted front door can make the front of your by squeezing too much in. house more welcoming and convincing.

First impressions really matter.

Let the light in Good lighting will be essential on a drab day, so make sure all your lights are working.

Temporarily moving a piece of furniture into a shed or a neighbour’s garage may solve the problem.

Adding some lamps into dark corners and turning those on before the viewing will help.

It is best if the viewing can take place in daylight, but if a potential buyer is coming in the evening or at dusk, make sure the porch light or outside light is working. Make sure curtains and blinds are opened.

19 15

The Do's and Don'ts of Buying a Pub At the end of 2018 the Office for National Statistics revealed that more than a quarter of Britain’s pubs have closed in the last decade, with smaller pubs being most at risk. However in 2019 according to Halls Commercial, which provides a range of specialist commercial property services to clients of all sizes across the UK, there has been a significant uplift in the sales and leases of licensed premises in recent months, with three significant pubs near its Shrewsbury HQ being snapped up in a matter of weeks.

So here are our Top Tips if you’re considering getting into Pub and Hospitality industry in Shropshrie: ■ Better to buy or lease?

While short-term tenancies are ideal if your most important requirement is brewery support, longer-term leases and buying pubs has tended to appeal more to more experienced landlords. If choosing between leasing or buying we do suggest buying is best in the current market conditions as, with a capital interest, you can build your business and reap the rewards. Of course, we would still recommend you do your homework and have experience of running a pub first, both essential if you are looking to get a mortgage.

■ Location?

Look for good access and properties with good roadside presence, and the more attractive from the outside the better. Keep the windows clean, paint it, look after the garden, add window boxes or hanging baskets and attractive signage.

If the property has, or has the potential for, curb appeal you will be rewarded with more interest and footfall.

■ Tied or free of tie?

Tied properties enjoy the advantage of brewery support such as installation of expensive cellar equipment and requirements to have sound business plans, but the downside is rents can go up, beer prices can be higher or the lease may not be renewed. In the current market we suggest buying free of tie pubs is the best option as long as you have a sound business plan. You can vary your drinks offering, plan for the future and increase the value of your capital investment.

For more information about our commercial property services contact James Evans, Head of Commercial

20

01743 450 700

james.evans@hallsgb.com

■ Opportunity for development – is it important?

If looking for a pub with development opportunity, landlords do need to take a longterm view. Buying a pub cheaply and hoping for a quick profit may not pay off.

■ What info to gather before you commit?

You must gather three years of accounts in order to do your business plan and get to know the area and customer base.

This will help you identify areas for potential growth, maybe focus more on wet or dry sales, take on new staff, rationalise and focus on what works.

■ What to avoid?

Lack of research must be avoided at all costs. Taking on a pub is hard work and will only pay off if you are going into it with your eyes open and a solid plan.

21

RECENTLY SOLD

Quantum House, Hadley Park East, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 6QJ

£500,000 (Exclusive) Showing a Net Initial Yield of 6.82 % (upon completion of all current lettings) after allowing for purchasers costs

■ High quality office investment ■ Forming part of a sought after area of Telford benefiting from significant current inward investment in the surrounding area including a new petrol filling station and new trade counter development ■ Current Rent £35,596.50 per annum (assuming the completion of the letting of suite 3 rising to £36,545.50 per annum with effect from the 01/05/2020) ■ Total Net Internal Floor Area of 4,281 ft sq (397.68 m sq) ■ Current rent £65,000 per annum (with potential for further rental growth)

Lambda House, Hadley Park East, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 6QJ

£500,000 (Exclusive) Showing a Net Initial Yield of 6.85 % after allowing for purchasers costs

■ Prominent High Quality office investment forming part of a sought after area of Telford benefiting from significant current inward investment in the area including a new petrol filling station and new trade counter development.

■ Current Rent £35,776.50 per annum ■ Total Net Internal Floor Area of 4,247 ft sq(394.61 m sq)

Lambda House, Hadley Park East, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 6QJ

£500,000 (Exclusive) Showing a Net Initial Yield of 6.61 % after allowing for purchasers costs

22

■ Prominent high quality office investment ■ Forming part of a sought after area of Telford benefiting from significant current inward investment in the area including a new petrol filling station and new trade counter development ■ Current Rent £34,500 per annum(rising to £37,500 per annum in December 2019 and £40,390 per annum in December 2020 ) ■ Total Net Internal Floor Area of 4,232 ft sq (393.24 m sq)

Hazeldine Retail & Leisure, Shrewsbury PROMINENT MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO BANNATYNE HEALTH CLUB, MEOLE BRACE RETAIL PARK & GOLF CLUB

■ In excess of 45,000 vehicles passing daily (2017- dft.gov.uk ) ■ Prominent road side location ■ KFC / Starbucks /Indigo

ACCOMMODATION DT1

Let - Starbucks

DT2

Let - KFC

Unit 1

1,200 sqft

Unit 2

1,400 - indigo sun

Unit 3

1,400 Under Offer

Unit 4

1,400 sqft

Unit 5

4,300 sqft

Unit 6

6,300 Under Offer

The property is located to the south of Shrewsbury at the junction of the A5112 and B4380 (Hazeldine Way and Otley Road) which provides direct access onto the A5 and the wider Shrewsbury area.

The site is located 2.1km (1.3 miles) to the south of Shrewsbury Town Centre and is accessed from Hereford Road (A5112) which leads into Shrewsbury Town Centre to the north or the A5 and A49 to the South.

The surrounding area comprises a mixture of residential, Retail and leisure uses. It is situated immediately to the north of Meole Brace Retail Park providing retailers such as Argos, Boots, Currys, Carphone Warehouse, Halfords, McDonald’s, Next, Pets at Home, Pizza Hut, Pound World, Sports Direct, TK Maxx, Costa and Sainsburys supermarket all acting as major footfall generators for this location.

Immediately adjoining the subject property with a shared access off Oteley Road is a Bannatyne Health Club and golf club.

Shrewsbury connects to the M6 and motorway network via the M54. It is located 47 miles north west of Birmingham and 41 miles south of Chester.

23

Smoke Alarms: Are you up to date?

Private Landlord Legislation In England and Scotland Landlords must fit Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms in their tenanted properties by law and in Wales & Northern Ireland Landlords have a Duty of Care to people living in their properties.

For Carbon Monoxide Alarms follow – British Standard – BS EN 50292:2019

The fact that smoke and CO alarms are life saving devices has been recognised over the last few years with new laws coming into force.

Whilst these laws do ensure all tenants have some form of fire and CO detection within their homes, these laws fall short of the protection recommended in British Standard BS 5839-6:2019 and the UK Building Regulations.

• •

Landlord Best Practice To ensure your tenants are safe from fire and CO we recommend that you fit your alarms to the British Standards: For Smoke and Heat Alarms follow – British Standard – BS 5839-6:2019 Rented properties/ House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) Existing (1-2 Storey): • Grade D1 – mains powered alarms with built-in battery back-up • Category LD2 – alarms installed throughout the hallways, landings and high risk rooms (living room and kitchen). A heat alarm should be installed in the kitchen with optical smoke alarms being used in other locations.

24

The standard states that a CO alarm should be fitted in: •

•

Rooms that contain any fuel burning appliances – such as an open fire, gas cooker or boiler Rooms where people spend the most time – such as a living room Rooms where people sleep Any room that has a flue running through it

Mains powered Carbon Monoxide alarms conforming to BS EN 50291 and installed in compliance with BS EN 50292 may also be interlinked with the fire detection and alarm system if the manufacturer of all the components makes such a recommendation.

■ England – the law As of the 1st October 2015 all private tenanted properties must have: Working smoke alarms installed on every level of the property.

A working Carbon Monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance – such as a open fire or wood burner.

Additionally, the Q&A document that accompanied this law also stated that the Government ‘expect and encourage reputable landlords to cover all gas appliances.

Further information can be found in the full legislation on the government website and the accompanying Q&A booklet.

In the case of smoke alarms and any heat alarms, this test may be carried out by use of a test button on each of the smoke alarms, heat alarms and multi-sensor alarms installed in the premises.

■ Northern Ireland & Wales – the law There is no specific law for private landlords to install smoke or CO alarms in Northern Ireland and Wales, but if you are building, extending or renovating then Fire Building Regulations & Carbon Monoxide Building Regulations will require you to fit smoke and CO alarms. It is also believed that these countries will follow the lead of Scotland and England before too long.

If a fire alarm has no test button, assistance with testing should be a sought from a fire service company.

In case of linked alarms, the "one alarm, all alarm" feature must be verified. The alarm should be visually inspected, and any defects should be noted for action.

In Wales you must fit a CO alarm when installing a new or replacing an old solid fuel burning appliance (solid fuel is coal or wood). In Northern Ireland you must fit a CO alarm when installing a new or replacing an old appliance that burns any type of fuel (gas, oil, wood or coal), except for a cooker.

Updated Testing Schedule All systems, other than Grade A systems, should be tested at least once every month.

Ever Thought of Bidding for an Original Painting?

The image of Banksy’s ‘Girl with a Balloon’ being shredded after just being sold at auction for over £1million caught the world’s attention last October, and reinforced the stereotype that art auctions are for the wealthy.

Our second Fine Art online auction of Modern and Contemporary Art, which took place in October this year, dispelled that myth offering a fantastic opportunity for anyone who had considered dipping their toe into investing in fine art but without the big budget to match.

Curated by a new member of our Fine Art team, Abigail Molenaar, who is currently working on her PhD, the auction brought contemporary art to a wider audience by offering affordable works by modern and contemporary artists who have already made a name for themselves.

It featured a number of lots from significant Welsh artists including a collectible painting by ‘Modern Master’ Will Roberts, who was born in Ruabon which fetched £800 +bp, and household names such as John Knapp-Fisher and John Bratby.

We are holding four timed auctions over the next 12 months;

■ 17th -31st January 2020

■ 14th February - 1st March 2020

■ 3rd - 17th April 2020

■ 9th - 25th October 2020

If you are interested in finding out more about our Modern & Contemporary art auctions please visit https://fineart.hallsgb.com/ or contact the Fine Art team on 01743 450 700.

Also featured was work by renowned British artist, Graham Sutherland, one of the figureheads for surrealist painting in Britain, wildlife artist Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe and engraver, George Mackley. The auction also included 10 lots by Piers Browne depicting scenes from ‘A Shropshire Lad’, consigned directly from the artist’s studio.

Abigail commented: “These modern and contemporary

art auctions are going to take place entirely online which makes it so easy to place a bid. The works are all by known artists while the prices are affordable making this a fantastic opportunity to have something really special on your wall.”

Abigail Molenaar, Picture Cataloguer & Researcher 01743 450700 abigailm@hallsgb.com

Pictured: Abigail Molenaar with ‘The Wrekin from Caer Caradoc’

by Piers Browne which sold in the October online auction for £??? (+pb)

25

The Rise in Chinese Export Silver Most people will own a piece of silver, whether it be a modest napkin ring, a full tea service or the odd teaspoon. The chances are this silver will be made and hallmarked in Britain.

A little more unusual is owning a piece of ‘Chinese Export Silver’.

These are silver items, which as the name suggests, were produced solely for the purpose of exporting to foreign markets.

Following this, perhaps tired of merely copying someone else’s designs, Chinese silversmiths began to introduce more cultural relevant motifs to their pieces, eventually adopting their own styles unreservedly. It was throughout this ‘late’ period that we also see many

Academics of this subject often break down this movement into three periods; early (1785-1840), late (1840-1880) and post (1880-1940).

The early period of export silver is often characterised by the use of the ‘pseudo-hallmark’. During the early 19th century numerous Western silver objects were brought back by merchants to be copied by the Chinese silversmiths and with this, they also copied to an extent, the British hallmarks. They can often be reasonably easily identified due to the lack of definition and relative crudeness, together with the fact that many examples also used the presence of a date and makers mark as a way to display their own initials.

Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley Silver & Jewellery Specialist 01743 450700 maryanne@hallsgb.com

26

silversmiths using their own marks together with Chinese characters.

A huge quantity of export silver was produced during this time, with one particular company undoubtedly holding the monopoly in what was becoming a highly competitive luxury market; Wang Hing & Co; a name now synonymous with export silver.

Over the past 10-20 years we have seen a marked increase in the demand and popularity on the open market for these export goods. Last November we sold a large oval tray decorated with embossed dragons chasing flaming pearls and a pair pierced ‘bamboo, chrysanthemum and dragon’ comports, both dating from the early 20th century and

by Wang Hing & Co for £2100 and £1850 + bp respectively. The year before we also sold an impressive presentation cup dated 1897 for £9000 + bp.

More recent highlights have been a silver and enamelled presentation vase, signed Chong Woo, Hong Kong, that realised £4200 +bp and a four piece tea and coffee service by Canton maker Shen Chang reaching £4200 + bp.

With the Chinese silver market stronger than ever, perhaps it’s time to check the cupboards and cabinets to see if your own family silver began its life almost 5000 miles away.

If you would like more information about Silver or a free valuation get in touch with Maryanne, our Silver & Jewellery specialist.

25

The End of an Era for Halls Fine Art Team It’s the end of an era in our Fine Art Department as Director, Jeremy Lamond, is bowing out after 23 years with Halls. Jeremy joined the team in 1996 as a cataloguer and auctioneer when our office was still at Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury. Having cut his teeth at Christies, where he started in the warehouse moving furniture, before learning his craft and leaving for Phillips where he was Head of Ceramics, Jeremy joined us as ‘number two’ to Richard Allen, Director of the Fine Art Department at the time.

When Richard Allen retired in 2005 Jeremy took over as Director.

Over the years he scaled down our general sales from weekly to monthly and increased the quality of the items in the auctions, added in wine, watches, contemporary art and timed internet auctions so people can bid online. Jeremy also oversaw the move from the sale rooms in the old cornmill in Frankwell, to our new premises at Battlefield on the outskirts of Shrewsbury in 2013, commissioning our two large auction rooms with a modern café and plenty of parking.

Today Jeremy’s encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject is respected throughout the UK, something he attributes to experience, good attention to detail and the ability to recognise what he doesn’t know. Despite his modesty, Jeremy has identified and commissioned a number of very significant lots. His finds include an Augustus Pugin table which he sold for £185k, a Delft cat (one of just nine in the world) which was bought for £45k, and a nineteenth century Godwin table which went under the hammer for £40k.

As Halls’ Asian Art specialist, Jeremy joined a consortium of auctioneers in 2013 running auctions in Xiamen and Beijing where he also gave lectures on furniture via a Chinese translator. While in China he was able to see the treasures of the Forbidden City, the National Palace Museum and Tiananmen Square.

He has also had the opportunity to visit Asian art exhibitions at the renowned Metropolitan Museum in New York, Avery Brundage Collection in San Francisco and the Vienna State Museums.

28

Back in the UK, Jeremy recommends art lovers visit the V & A Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London, the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museums in Oxford and the amazing Lady Lever Art Gallery in the Wirral.

If you’re a collector, Jeremy says your top prize (if you had the budget) would probably be some Imperial Qianlong Porcelain but there is still strong demand for locally made pieces too, although we tend to be quite low key about our treasures.

For example here in Shropshire, the home of the Intellectual and Industrial Revolutions we appreciate the small scale but wonderful, like Caughley Porcelain and Merrythought Bears.

Jeremy’s last auction at Halls, on 11th December, will be the end of an era here at Halls and we wish him lots of success for the future!

29

Rhythm and Hooves How to Succeed as a Livestock Auctioneer It’s hard to believe it’s already been 13 years since the state-of-the-art Auction Centre at Battlefield in Shrewsbury opened to the public. It was praised for its contemporary design which, as well as improving conditions for cattle and sheep, incorporated better acoustics, heating, safety, electronic systems, a café and even a system for recycling rainwater to wash livestock.

Now under by the experienced eye of Halls Market Manager and Senior Auctioneer, Jonny Dymond, in 2019 around 19,000 heads of cattle passed through its gates making it one of the busiest auction centres in the region.

How to become an auctioneer Brought up on a Cornish Dairy Farm, Jonny decided to train as an auctioneer during the BSE crisis in 1995 and finally got to try his hand at it while studying for his Rural Enterprise and Land Management degree at Harper Adams University.

“I was 18 years old when I did my first auction, it was for some skinny, long legged geese with hardly any meat for a Christmas sale so not an easy place to start. I was determined that’s what I wanted to do though, and it wasn’t too long until my boss let me run machinery, rearing calves and eventually store cattle and dairy sales.”

Why do auctioneers talk so fast?

To run a successful livestock auction Jonny says it’s important to keep the rhythm going. “A good auction

will hold the interest of the buyers. This means planning well and having the livestock well presented, categorised and in the right pens ready to be brought out into the ring in quick succession.

“The auctioneer’s patter, which sounds like someone talking really quickly to the untrained ear, is actually very rhythmic and rolling. The bidders can tell what is happening purely because of the flow of livestock and bidding.”

Who goes to markets?

Jonny says it’s vitally important to bring the right buyers and sellers together and has worked hard to make lots of industry contacts. “The Market attracts regular buyers

on the front row every week, and they will judge every animal on its own merit.

“Seasonal and farmer buyers tend to come less often and will study catalogues before deciding to come along, they often like to buy from known sellers.”

30

The Auction’s Busy Dairy Diary We know lambs arrive in the spring, and turkeys are auctioned at Christmas, but calves are born at any time of year keeping the market’s auction diary for dairy cows and calves full. It also means we can enjoy fresh milk all year. Old cows can sell as well as young ones if they’re from good stock but there are peaks and troughs (sorry for the pun!) in prices.

Jonny explains: “A dairy cow’s value is high for the

first 100 days after she has calved as she is giving lots of fresh milk, it then drops for around 120 days as supply dries up then rises again in the 100 or so days before she calves again.”

As people look for better quality cuts of meat Jonny says the demand for pedigree sheep and cattle is strong.

“Our rare breed sales draw people from far beyond our usual catchment area, especially with the fall in competition from other markets.

“Native Hereford and Angus beef is highly sought after as people look for better cuts and so it gets a good price, we sold a bull recently for 13,000 Guineas. Our annual Designer Genes Sale in December is popular, Herefords are in high demand there too.” www.nationalbeefassociation.com/resources/beef-statistics

What are the current trends to look out for?

According to the National Beef Association* 81% of the beef sold in the UK is British. It also tells us mince accounts for 38% of the beef we buy, with 25% on steaks, 21% on roasts and 13% on stews. Buyers want high quality stock that also hits the meat specification set out by the industry. They look at the market and consider the size of the cuts as well as future demand from domestic and professional chefs or retailers.

31

LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS Shrewsbury Auction Centre Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3DR JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

Tuesday 7th Tuesday 4th Tuesday 3rd Thursday 2nd Weanling Sale Weanling Sale Weanling Sale Hogg Sale Thursday 9th Store Cattle Sale

Thursday 13th Saturday 7th Thursday 9th Store Cattle Blue Genes British Store Cattle Sale Blue Cattle Society Tuesday 21st Tuesday 18th Sale Tuesday 14th Weanling Sale Weanling Sale Spring Show of Thursday 12th Weanling Thursday 23rd Wednesday 19th Store Cattle & Store Cattle Sale TB Sale Evening Hogg Sale Thursday 16th Hogg Sale Tuesday 28th Saturday 22nd Tuesday 17th Show & Sale of Hereford Cattle Weanling Sale Tuesday 21st Dairy Society Sale Show & Sale of Wednesday 18th Dairy Thursday 30th Tuesday 25th TB Sale TB Sale Show & Sale of Thursday 23rd Dairy Thursday 19th Show & Sale of Evening Hogg Sale Store Cattle & SLA Thursday 27th Hogg Sale Store Cattle Tuesday 24th Show & Sale of Saturday 25th Dairy Perfection Collection Sale of Thursday 26th Elite Dairy Cattle Store Cattle & Evening Hogg Sale Tuesday 28th Weanlings Sale Tuesday 31st Weanling Sale Wednesday 29th TB Sale

Bishops Castle Station Street, Bishops Castle, SY9 5DD

32

MAY

JUNE

Saturday 2nd Sale of South Devon Cattle for Midland Club

Thursday 4th Store Cattle Sale

Tuesday 5th Annual sale of Hereford Cattle HCBA Thursday 7th Store Cattle Sale

Tuesday 9th Weanlings Thursday 18th Store Cattle Tuesday 23rd Weanlings

Thursday 25th Tuesday 12th TB Restricted Cattle Weanlings Saturday 27th Tuesday 19th Premium Breeders Show & Sale of Sale of Hampshire Dairy Cattle Downs Sheep Thursday 21st Tuesday 30th Store Cattle Show & Sale of Dairy Tuesday 26th Weanlings Thursday 28th TB Restricted Sale

Thursday 30th Hogg Sale

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

Thursday 16th BCA Store Cattle Sale

Thursday 6th BCA Store Cattle Sale

Thursday 5th Thursday 2nd BCA DQCA Sale BCA Store Cattle Sale Thursday 19th BCA Store Cattle Thursday 16th Sale BCA Show & Sale of Store Cattle

MAY Thursday 30th BCA Store Cattle DQCA

Thursday 14th BCA Store Cattle

JUNE Thursday 11th BCA Store Cattle

01743 462 620

hallsgb.com/auctions JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Thursday 2nd Store Cattle Sale

Tuesday 4th Tuesday 1st Tuesday 6th Tuesday 10th December 8th Weanlings Weanlings Sale Breeding Ewes Sale Weanlings Sale Weanlings sale

Tuesday 7th Tuesday 11th Saturday 5th Thursday 8th Weanlings Sale Breeding Ewes Shropshire & Store Cattle Border Texel Club Tuesday 14th Thursday 13th Annual Show & Sale Tuesday 13th Breeding Ewes Sale Store Cattle Sale Weanlings Sale Tuesday 8th Thursday 16th Tuesday 18th Breeding Ewes Sale Tuesday 20th Store Cattle Sale Weanlings Sale Breeding Ewes & Thursday 10th Show & Sale of Tuesday 21st Tuesday 25th Store Cattle Sale & Dairy Cattle Weanling Sale Breeding Ewes & Evening Sale of MV Show & Sale of Breeding Sheep Tuesday 27th Thursday 23rd Dairy Weanlings 7 Show TB Restricted Cattle Tuesday 15th & Sale of South Thursday 27th Weanlings Sale Devon Cattle Tuesday 28th Store Cattle Sale Breeding Ewes & Tuesday 22nd Thursday 29th Show & Sale of Breeding Ewes Sale Store Cattle Sale Dairy & Show & Sale of Dairy Cattle Thursday 30th Store Cattle Thursday 24th Store Cattle Sale

NOVEMBER

Thursday 12th Store Cattle Sale

DECEMBER

December 12th Designer Genes Sale of Herefords

Tuesday 17th Show & Sale Bill Tuesday 15th Higgins Cup Show & Sale, Bryan Challinor Cup Tuesday 24th Weanlings Sale Thursday 17th Store Cattle Sale Thursday 26th Store Cattle Sale Tuesday 22nd Weanlings & Turkey Sale

Tuesday 29th Weanlings Sale

01588 638 639

hallsgb.com/auctions JULY

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Thursday 9th BCA Store Cattle sale

Friday 4th 1st Love Lane sheep Sale

Saturday 3rd Thursday 22nd BCA 2nd Love Lane BCA DQCA Store Cattle Sale Sheep Sale

Thursday 5th BCA Store Cattle Sale

December 10th BCA Store Sale

AUGUST

Thursday 17th BCA Store Cattle Sale

Thursday 15th BCA Store Cattle Tom Gittins Cup

Thursday 19th BCA Suckled Calves Sale

Thursday 20th BCA Store Cattle Sale

33

MACHINERY SALES CALENDAR Kidderminster Shrewsbury The Gallops, Stanklyn Lane Stone, Kidderminster, Worcester, DY10 4AR 01562 820 880 / 820 990

Bowmen Way, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, SY4 3DR

01588 638 639

Friday 31st January

Friday 7th February

Friday 28th February

Friday 3rd April

Friday 27th March

Friday 5th June

Friday 24th April

Friday 7th August

Friday 29th May

Friday 2nd October

Friday 26th June

Friday 4th December

Friday 31st July Friday 28th August Friday 25th September Friday 30th October Friday 27th November

hallsgb.com/auctions Catalogue Entries: 12 Days Prior to the sale.

Catalogues can be downloaded from our web site: www.hallsgb.com Delivery Of Items To Be On The Thursday 8am – 5pm Prior To The Sale Day All Items Must Be Removed Before 12 Noon Saturday Following The Sale Day

34

Better News for Existing Phone Mast Sites With over 70 million mobile phone users in the UK, demand for better coverage means network providers need access to land to operate their masts.

The Electronic Communications Code came into force in 2017 regulating the relationships between telecom operators and landowners. As a result, telecom providers have new rights to gain access agricultural and greenfield land, the equipment they use, as well as how they share it with other mobile network suppliers.

With new rights over access, operators are frequently attempting to renegotiate rents for existing mast sites downwards to reflect the land’s agricultural value for a small site.

As well as rental value, many other aspects of the Code are ambiguous and open to interpretation, even two years after it came into force. There has been an amount of case law as a result where landowners have tested their rights.

Shaun Jones of Halls said: “While

I’m keen to see better mobile coverage in rural areas, it’s important fair terms are agreed. Operators need to be more realistic about the sums they are offering landowners and it is possible to negotiate where it is possible to review rates during existing lease terms, the operator is in a weaker position. In one recent case I increased a site rent from £2,800 to £5,500 on behalf of a landowner north of Shrewsbury.”

Halls reports that when the initial lease has expired many operators are initially offering around £100 per year, then subsequently make a better offer of around £1,500 but threaten taking the matter to Tribunal if it isn’t accepted. However, we have evidence of other uses of small areas of land at £3,000 per year, double that offered by the operators.

As a landowner, what should you do if you receive a letter from a network provider regarding the erection of a new mast or requesting a reduction in the annual rent?

Shaun’s tips: 1) Write to the operator for confirmation that they will cover your costs of seeking professional advice.

For help with phone masts please contact Shaun Jones

01743 450 700

shaunj@hallsgb.com

2) Contact a professional expert, like Halls, for advice about your rights. Operators are taking a very hard line and are threatening Tribunals to set the rent. The operators will walk all over you if you let them. The legislation refers to market value and ‘willing’ parties, encouraging agreement between the parties.

35

Woodland Carbon Guarantee Planting new woodland to capture carbon The government has launched a new scheme to pay woodland owners for the carbon dioxide sequestered and stored by newly planted woodland. This scheme provides an opportunity to generate an income in the medium to long term and to add an element of security to an investment in planting new woodland.

The scheme is only open to those wanting to plant new woodland and allows applicants to sell their carbon dioxide to the government in the form of Woodland Carbon Units. The government will pay a guaranteed price for the Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs) every five or ten years until 2055/56.

The price will be set through an online reverse auction whereby applicants submit the price that would make their scheme financially viable, but if applicants prefer, they can still sell the WCUs on the open market. To be eligible for the scheme applicants will first need to register their project with the Woodland Carbon Code.

Grants for woodland creation and maintenance for woodland areas over 3 hectares (7.5 acres) are also available through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which offers a range of complementary grants and options.

For those interested in larger scale and more commercial projects, funding is available through the Woodland Carbon Fund. Successful applicants can receive funding towards the costs of establishing productive woodland with 70% of the area planted with productive species, and a minimum area of ten hectares (about 25 acres). There is also a ÂŁ1,000 per hectare capital grant available in the fifth year following successful establishment.

It is worth remembering that the Woodland Carbon Guarantee can be applied for in conjunction with any of these other woodland grants, making the idea of planting a new woodland a little more attractive. With a general shift in government support towards environmentally focussed projects, woodland and forestry schemes are becoming ever more appealing.

For more information contact Ben Dutton on 01743 450700.

Contact Halls Rural Professional Team for more information

36

01743 450 700

ruraldept@hallsgb.com

Farms and Land Whenever you opened the Farmers Weekly in 2019 one thing that stood out very clearly was the very small number of farms advertised for sale across the UK. We have been used to seeing the pages full of farms in the eastern counties and perhaps up north, but even that supply has been very limited in the last 12 months.

We however have had many very good instructions to sell some quality farms and estates over a wide area. I can remember the times when we have had instructions to sell a relatively large farm and have quietly thought “who is going to buy this?�. The opposite has been the case in the last 12 months with multiple interest in every property resulting in good competitive market forces.

Summary of Farms & Land Sold Rodenhurst Hall An first class arable farm and property investment including Rodenhurst Business Park located in a peaceful and convenient location in Shropshire.

You may say why is this. The stability of asset that farms and land offer is never in doubt and add in to that the attractive cost of money and the attractive fiscal regime. Provided the current regime is allowed to continue we would expect a similar picture in 2020.

Buyers today are very much attracted by quality and the bonus of a diversified income. Put these two attributes together and you will find that those are the most attractive and valuable properties.

Brookfield & Drayton Villa Farms

Bringing a farm to the market is not a quick task. It is advisable to allow plenty of time to plan, to make sure you have in place as much information as possible which prospective buyers can scrutinise at an early stage so that the ultimate exchange and completion is achieved within a reasonable time scale.

If you are contemplating a sale please come and talk to us sooner rather than later.

Lower Down, Lydbury North An outstanding commercial arable and stock farm of over 400 acres.

David Giles, Managing Director

01743 450 700

davidg@hallsgb.com

37

Looking for a New Income Stream for your Land?

The UK’s booming domestic leisure and tourism market is an opportunity for landowners, from those with just a few acres to large agricultural businesses. By creating alternative uses for buildings and land there are fantastic prospects for enterprising owners to join the growing trend of diversifying, and earning new income streams from their land.

For help and advice on planning please contact Shaun Jones

38

01743 450 700

shaunj@hallsgb.com

To make a success of any new venture you don’t just need an idea, you need a plan and a certain amount of expertise.

Have you got the skills to sell your idea or product, liaise with customers, manage a website let alone deal with all the paperwork and legislation that comes with gaining planning permission, funding and budgeting?

These are not impossible barriers, however, with figures showing 97% of farmers (interviewed for Farmers Weekly in March 2019) reporting their new business ventures were profitable.

Many Halls clients have made a success from diversifying into the leisure and tourism business, and two of Halls’ clients talk about their experiences here: James Marpole of Purslow Hall Farm approached Shaun Jones last year for his help and advice in obtaining planning consent for 5 camping pods on the family farm near Clun.

They produce beef, lamb and arable produce on their 300 acre farm but in recent years they decided to look into using their assets to generate a new alternative income stream. Having met Shaun through his advice in obtaining grants, they asked his advice about an outline idea for glamping pods.

Shaun suggested they build them within the farm’s boundary as it would be easier and quicker to get planning permission. Shaun also gave James pointers on VAT treatment, business rates, websites and grants.

After a successful first season James reports high occupancy rates via Airbnb.

Visit shropshireluxuryglamping.co.uk

Jake Powell, who farms near Rhayader in Powys also asked Shaun at Halls to assist with a leisure scheme, an application for 9 underground Hobbit Homes. A new idea in the UK inspired by the village of ‘Hobbiton’ in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, these houses are made of recycled waste plastic with a twin wall structure. Being mostly underground only the door and two windows are visible from the outside.

After a lack of success with other agents, a friend recommended Shaun who prepared the application, submitted it and secured the consent without any difficulty despite a number of issues raised by the council about the site.

The Hobbit Homes are now being built ready for spring 2020.

Shaun’s tips: 1) Before starting a new venture make sure there is a demand in your geographical area. For example, is there plenty to do for visitors, how much competition is there and are you offering something with a unique selling point?

2) Paperwork can be a minefield and put the best plans to rest before you’ve even started. Speaking to a professional company, like Halls, early on you will quickly find out whether there are likely to be problems, if they can be resolved and what you need to do. Applying for leisure use is a particular area of expertise.

If you are considering a leisure enterprise requiring planning consent please call.

39

Leanne and her team prepare fresh, traditional favourites using local ingredients, from superb breakfasts, delicious lunches to a beautiful selection of homemade cakes. We hope you can join us to enjoy the menu soon.

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday - 9.30am till 4.30pm FIND US AT: Halls Holdings House, Bowmen Way, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, SY4 3DR

PROPERTY & LAND : ANTIQUES & INTERIORS : LIVESTOCK & FARMING www.hallsgb.com