Auction marks end of road for firm that carved out a niche

Quibell & Son, which constructed some of Hull's most important buildings, including the Guildhall, went into administration along with a sister company, Humber Joiners, a fortnight ago.

Founded in 1875, the firm also built various hospitals and schools and its craftsmen were also regularly called in when repair and restoration work was required on the region's great churches including Holy Trinity and Howden Minster.

Administrators have instructed North Lincolnshire-based industrial auctioneers CJM Asset Management to sell off the firms' assets – including 20,000 worth of stone and carved stone blocks – in an on-line auction tomorrow.

A viewing day is being staged today at Stepney Lane, Hull. The 250 lots include 45 commercial vehicles ranging from small vans

to transit tippers and a forklift truck.

CJM director Paul Cooper said: "The firm had had a highly regarded stone masonry department and the equipment from there is expected to attract quite a lot of interest. The star of the show is an ASM stone saw, an expensive bit of kit that we think will make 10,000 at auction."

He added: "The masonry department is also providing some of the more intriguing lots in the auction, in the form of partially machined or carved stone blocks, which will probably now be of little interest unless they appeal to local gardeners as potential ornaments."

Catalogue and bidder registration are available by logging on to www.cjmasset.com.