News

FANTASY GAMES FOR SALE!

In excess of a hundred thousand pounds worth of games, models and collectable comics are to go under the hammer in North Lincolnshire next week after a Suffolk fantasy gaming business hit trouble in the recession.

The extraordinary gaming hoard . . . the complete stock of Runik Games . . . was seized by bailiffs earlier this month in lieu of unpaid rent on the firm’s premises in Bury St. Edmonds.

The stock has now been sent to Scunthorpe-based industrial auctioneers CJM Asset Management and is to be included in a sale at the company’s auction centre in Brigg Road next Tuesday (March 30th).

CJM Director Paul Cooper said: “The sell-off is symptomatic of the difficulties that many businesses, especially those operating in the leisure sector, are now experiencing. We are seeing a significant increase in the number of bailiff instructions as firms struggle to pay their rent or rates.”

“This is the largest stock of fantasy gaming items that we have ever seen going under the hammer at the saleroom. It includes a huge number of games, related models, thousands of collectable comics, books and cabinets-full of gaming cards.”

“People will get some idea of just how much stuff we’ve been sent when I say that we calculate that the retail value of the stock is around £130,000.”

“It is to be sold in around 200 lots. We have divided it up into mixed size quantities, so that individual gaming fans will have a chance to bid for items, as well as trade buyers and people operating in the gaming sector.”

The auction will also see beer stock from Le Trappiste, Lancashire’s best known Belgian bar, going under the hammer, again after being seized by bailiffs in lieu of unpaid rent.

Paul said: “We disposed of Le Trappiste’s furniture, fixtures and fittings in an auction last month but we were unable to include the beer because there was just not time to apply for the temporary event notice that is necessary to sell alcohol.”

“That’s now been sorted out and so twenty crates of assorted Belgian beers, some of them very strong, are included in next week’s list. We also have more of the furniture from the bar that has now come to light.”

The fixtures, fittings and furniture from an American-themed bar-restaurant that has closed down are also to be sold off. The lots range from US memorabilia and cast iron pub tables to thirty pine tables, with their sets of chairs, that were used in the restaurant and children’s rides that include the space shuttle, a western wagon and a racing car.

Paul added: “The automotive section of this auction is particularly good. As well as vans, cars and forklift trucks, we have some very clean, well maintained, tools and equipment from a garage at Ashton-under-Lyne including vehicle lifts, welding compressors, engine analysers, pressure washing equipment and a wheel balancer.”

“Meanwhile one of the more unusual lots in the section is a good mobile catering unit that has been sent for us for disposal from an industrial trading estate in County Durham after the owner failed to pay his pitch rent and just walked away. It is expected to go for £2,000 - £3,000 at auction, which is quite a bargain when these things usually cost £10,000 - £15,000.”

In all the auction extends to well over 800  lots. The viewing sessions are on Monday (March 29th) 1pm-7pm and on Tuesday morning from 8.30am until the start of the sale at 10 am. .