Region saw big rise in auction sales revenues

The region saw auction sales revenues rise from £17.3m in the three months to December 2012 to £27.3m in 2013.

There was also an increase in the number of lots on offer rising from 151 to 179.

Yorkshire was second to East Anglia, which saw an 85 per cent increase in sales values during the same period.

Nationally, there was a 59.5 per cent increase in sales revenues.

Kirsty Reid, senior surveyor at Dunlop Heywood, said: “This is another very strong indicator that Yorkshire is bouncing back better and stronger than anyone predicted even 12 months ago.

“Confidence is back in the market and it is really good to see Yorkshire and Humber holding its own against other regions which almost universally have seen increased sales value through the auction markets.”

David Sandeman, managing director of Essential Information Group, which collated the data, added: “Throughout 2013 we saw a strengthening market, with auction sales rising and revenues swelling to often record-breaking levels.

“December’s figures epitomised this trend, with auction sales up eight per cent on 2012.”

The news comes as Leeds-based auctioneer Eddisons generated proceeds of over £11.2m at its first three-day sale of the year.

The firm reported that 108 (81.2 per cent) of the 133 lots offered in Leeds, Manchester and London sold.

Highlights included a retail investment on Beckside Road in Bradford which is currently let to Martin McColl at an annual rent of £21,000, which sold for £311,000, a gross yield of 6.75 per cent.