Lots Road Auctions was set up in 1974 by two former employees of Christie's selling everything from junk to antiques. The company has suffered various setbacks: in 1977 a huge fire destroyed half the roof and they went out of business the next year.

But all seems to be going swimmingly now. They hold weekly sales of around 600 lots every Sunday and these are greeat events not only for professional dealers or serious collectors but also for private buyers, interior designers, and anyone else who turns up.