The Auction Café serves up tasty programme of free valuations this April

Specialists on hand three days a week

A POPULAR Lichfield coffee shop is dishing up a tasty programme of free valuations this April.

The Auction Café by Richard Winterton Auctioneers at 34 Market Street is open seven days a week, from 9am-4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-3pm on Sundays, with weekly valuations on three of those days.

Throughout April, free valuations of jewellery, watches and gold will take place at the café between 10am-3pm every Tuesday, with Midlands gemmologist Georgina Southam FIRV FGA DGA BA (Hons) offering specialist advice.

Every Thursday, people will be able to discuss fine art, ceramics, glass and silver – from 10am-12.30pm on April 3 and 17 with David Fergus and from 10am-3pm on April 10 and 24 with Sarah Williams.

Each Wednesday throughout the month will see a different specialist offering valuations at The Auction Café from 10am-12.30pm.

On Wednesday, April 2, Stuart Hay will be valuing cameras, optical equipment and pens.

April 9 will see military consultant Nick Thompson assessing medals and militaria and numismatics expert Phil Bridge will be evaluating coins and banknotes on April 16.

April 23 will see toy valuers Jon Price focussing on Sindy and Barbie dolls.

And on April 30, Robert French will be offering valuations of whisky, wine, port and other alcohol.

As well as a host of valuations, The Auction Café offers speciality coffee, tea, cakes, cream teas, pastries, toasties, bagels and savoury snacks seven days a week.

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Richard Winterton said: “We’ve had lots of positive comments on the concept of The Auction Café and our valuations have gone from strength to strength.

“By popular demand we’re delighted to be stepping things up once again to now offer valuations three days a week, covering a huge range of antique and collectable items.

“So do drop in with your treasures and curiosities to show and discuss with our friendly specialists.”

Recent auction results include photographic equipment exceeding £3,000, a gold Parker Presidential fountain and ballpoint pen set selling at £1,150 and a collection of dolls focussing on Sindy totalling £12,545.

A collection of SAS Special Forces insignia, beret badges, photographs, ephemera and belts totalled £3,780 while a specialist online-only sale of more than 75 lots of single malt whisky, fine Cognacs, Champagne, fine wines and vintage port realised £12,500.

In the pipeline, items consigned at The Auction Café include a UK 1980 gold proof four coin set with certificate of authenticity from the Royal Mint.

Guided £3,600 to £4,200, the set goes under the hammer at The Lichfield Auction Centre on Monday, April 14.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers also features on a new episode of popular TV antiques programme Bargain Hunt to be transmitted in April.

Segments filmed at The Lichfield Auction Centre with auctioneer Richard Winterton feature in the show to be broadcast on Monday, April 7, at 12.15pm on BBC One.

The Auction Café in Market Street, Lichfield, offers free jewellery valuations every Tuesday, valuations of fine art, ceramics, glass and silver on Thursday and specialist valuations on Wednesdays - click here for upcoming dates.