2:06 pm, April 12, 2011
FORMER fleet cars flowed through Aston Barclay’s new auction centre, raising money for charity.
Vendors and buyers alike experienced the efficiency now in place at the new state-of-the-art auction centre. Thanks to the newly created twin-laned auction rooms separated by sound-proofed glazing, designed to allow car buyers to effectively follow two sales simultaneously.
The grand-opening ceremony of the £1.2m investment was celebrated by the sale of a brand new Ford KA for £6,400, bought by a local car dealer who immediately pledged to donate it to another charitable cause.
The proceeds from the sale were shared equally between BEN and Essex’s Farleigh Hospice.
Nigel Williams, commercial manager for BEN, said: ‘Ben is very pleased to be a beneficiary of the charity car auction held by Aston Barclay. Not only was this an opportunity for some fund raising, but just as importantly it gave us the opportunity to create awareness among the buyers and vendors of how Ben helps people in the automotive sector.
‘Thanks very much to Tim and his team and we wish them great success with the new auction halls which will continue to support the industry charity through the “Backing Ben” initiatives.’
Tim Hudson, managing director at Aston Barclay, said: ‘This is the first phase of investment in Aston Barclay. Our vision to provide both our vendors and buyers alike with the highest quality service has come to fruition with the completion of the redevelopment of the auction halls.
‘We have also transformed our IT infrastructure and we will continue to invest further to ensure we provide an industry-leading service.’
More than £1.2m has been invested transforming Chelmsford’s former cattle market into one of the UK’s premier car auction centres capable of selling up to 25,000 cars and vans a year.
No stone has been left unturned in Aston Barclay’s investment programme including the complete remodelling of its auction facilities, bespoke IT infrastructure and working practices to ensure total efficiency for both customers who buy and sell vehicles.
Formerly Chelmsford Car Auctions, the company was acquired by the Aston Barclay Group in 1984 and has since expanded with sites in Westbury, Wiltshire, and Prees Heath, Shropshire.
