WILSONS Auctions, the UK and Ireland’s largest independent auction company, has marked 20 years in business in North Ayrshire.

They recently held an anniversary car auction at its Ayrshire site , welcoming customers and vendors to mark the milestone.

The opening of th e branch in Dalry in 1998 was the start of the significant expansion of the family-owned business outside of Northern Ireland, where it started from a single auction site in 1936.

The first of Wilsons Auctions branches in Great Britain, it now has a national spread across the UK and Ireland. Under the management of Gareth Wilson through - out its 20 years, Wilsons Auctions Dalry has grown from a company of four staff to now employing almost 60 full time and part time staff from the local area.

The auction house started as one car auction per week and has grown to approximately 25 auctions per month including cars, vans, plant and machinery, liquidation and disposal, land and property, offsite and online auctions. Over the years, Wilsons Auctions Dalry has managed an array of auctions for various clients across Scotland and beyond, one of the most memorable being the then future President of the United States of America, having managed the auction of contents from the Trump Turnberry Hotel ahead of a major revamp in 2015.

Speaking of the significan t milestone , Director Gareth Wilson said : “To say I am delighted would be an understatement of how I feel to see Wilsons Auctions Dalry reach the milestone of 20 years. It was a leap of faith by my father to expand the business to Scotland back in 1998 and it has been a pleasure and a challenge I have relished overseeing the management of our Scottish branch over these years and watch it grow to become the success it is today.

“I would like to thank the hard work and dedication of the employees, as well as the continued support from our customers and clients over the years who have helped to get the branch to the position it is today. As Wilsons Auctions Dalry continues to grow I look forward to what the next 20 years has to bring,” he added.

In recognition of the anniversary, Gareth was presented with a red Ford Escort, similar to the first car he sold in Dalry’s very first car auction, which will be displayed in the branch’s vehicle and machinery heritage centre.