From Tradition to Today.

 

For almost 160 years, Wellers has been connecting people with remarkable items. From our humble beginnings as a livestock auction house to today’s diverse sales, spanning antiques, architectural salvage, modern retail stock, and specialist collections, we’ve always evolved to meet the needs of our clients. Our history is built on trust, adaptability, and expertise, growing from traditional roots into a dynamic and varied auction business.

Our Story

For over half a century, Wellers Auctions has built its reputation on one simple principle: the ability to sell anything, anywhere, anytime.

Our story begins in the bustling livestock markets of Guildford and Farnham in the 1970s and 1980s, where Wellers became a trusted name among farmers and traders. But as the auction landscape evolved, so did we. Recognising the opportunities beyond livestock, we expanded into machinery, furniture, antiques and more, proving early on that adaptability would be at the heart of our success.

Former Auctioneer & Director Glen Snelgar

The 1990s brought major shifts: the decline of British livestock trading and the redevelopment of Guildford Cattle Market in 2000. Under the leadership of Managing Directors Glen Snelgar and Chris Sykes, Wellers pivoted decisively, relocating to Chertsey and focusing on General, Antique, and Plant & Machinery sales. It was here that we truly flourished, employing over 60 staff and running a thriving programme of General Auctions, specialising in warehouse returns, lost property, refurbished goods, as well as respected fine art and jewellery sales. Off-site architectural auctions became another hallmark, with up to eleven held annually, drawing national attention.

By 2015, Wellers took another bold step, selling its Chertsey premises and trialling timed auctions in Milton Keynes. This experiment eventually paved the way for a move to Guildford in 2016, which was then our home of Antiques & Jewellery. Alongside this, we made the acquisition of Jacobs & Hunt’s agricultural business at West Meon, cementing our commitment to both tradition and innovation. Today, our West Meon collective auctions are seasonal highlights, attracting hundreds of bidders and reaffirming our agricultural roots, whilst making year-on-year progress.

At our Guildford saleroom, Mondays are synonymous with auctions and we currently hold two live and online auctions, alongside multiple timed auctions throughout the week, all of which are available to participate through multiple online portals to ensure global participation. Specialist sales from architectural salvage to luxury goodstake us across the UK, with highlights including the landmark three-day dispersal of Fagins Antiques in Exeter back in 2019, where nearly 1,000 lots achieved close to £200,000.

Through every change, one thing has remained constant: the professionalism and integrity of our auctioneers and staff. Whether handling a single heirloom or a multi-day dispersal, we pride ourselves on achieving the best possible results for our clients and building relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and expertise.

From livestock markets to livestreamed sales, Wellers has never stood still. We continue to embrace technology, expand into new markets, and honour the values that have guided us from the very beginning, proving that with the right approach, there is no limit to what an auction at Wellers can achieve.

Our Partners

At Wellers, we’re proud to work alongside a trusted network of partners who help us deliver seamless auction experiences and strengthen our ties within the community. Our auction software provider, Easy Live Auction, not only powers our back-end systems to ensure everything runs smoothly, but also showcases our auctions to a global audience. IT Support Plus delivers expert technical solutions to keep our business secure and connected, while leading online platforms including The Saleroom, iBidder, and BidSpotter allow us to reach bidders worldwide and maximise visibility for our sales.

Locally, we partner with New House Art Space, engaging with Guildford’s creative community, and Experience Guildford, collaborating to support and promote the town where our saleroom continues to thrive. Together, these partnerships combine innovation, reliability, and community spirit, all the while helping Wellers to remain a trusted and dynamic auction house.

Become a Partner

At Wellers, we value building strong, long-term relationships with businesses who share our commitment to quality, trust, and innovation. If you’d like to explore partnering with us, whether to showcase your products, collaborate in some way on our sales, or align your brand with ours, we’d love to hear from you. Becoming a Wellers partner means increased exposure for your business, and the opportunity to be part of a trusted auction house with over 150 years of history.

To start the conversation, simply email andy@wellersauctions.com and we look forward to dealing with your query.

Highlights from our history

1866
Website Department Images 22

Wellers is founded, beginning a long legacy in daily auctions that continues to this day.

1970s - 1980s
Website Department Images 21

Wellers establishes a strong presence at the famous Surrey Livestock Auction markets of Guildford and Farnham and gradually introduced machinery and furniture auctions at the Guildford Cattle Market, expanding its product range beyond livestock.

1990s
Website Department Images 23

Following several corporate takeovers and the decline of the British livestock industry, Wellers begins shifting focus toward general auctions, antiques, and machinery.

2000
Website Department Images 25

Guildford Cattle Market is redeveloped and Managing Directors Glen Snelgar and Chris Sykes relocate the non-livestock business to Chertsey high-street, focusing on General, Antique, and Plant & Machinery Auctions.

2000 - 2014
Website Department Images 26

Chertsey premises thrive, employing up to 65 staff. Tuesday General Auctions grow, specialising in warehouse retail returns, lost property, and refurbished electrical goods. Guildford saleroom expands into fine jewellery, paintings, antiques, and unredeemed pawnbroker pledges. Up to eleven off-site architectural auctions held annually, achieving record results.

2015

Chertsey premises sold and the main operation is moved over to Milton Keynes with an emphasis on timed auctions with multiple auctions every day of the week.

2016
Website Department Images 33

Retail auctions successfully move to Guildford amid the acquisition of Jacobs & Hunt agricultural business at West Meon. Wellers begins holding a minimum of three off-site farm auctions per year, attracting nearly 500 attendees per sale.

2019
Website Department Images 29

Wellers continues to combine traditional and modern auction methods, amid record sales for remote architectural salvage auctions, including a major three-day closing-down sale for Fagins Antiques in Exeter, selling nearly 1,000 lots for almost £200,000.

2025
Website Department Images 30

Live auctions with bidders in the room are re-introduced, combining the excitement of in-person auctions with the accessibility of online bidding.

1866
Website Department Images 22

Wellers is founded, beginning a long legacy in daily auctions that continues to this day.

1970s - 1980s
Website Department Images 21

Wellers establishes a strong presence at the famous Surrey Livestock Auction markets of Guildford and Farnham and gradually introduced machinery and furniture auctions at the Guildford Cattle Market, expanding its product range beyond livestock.

1990s
Website Department Images 23

Following several corporate takeovers and the decline of the British livestock industry, Wellers begins shifting focus toward general auctions, antiques, and machinery.

2000
Website Department Images 25

Guildford Cattle Market is redeveloped and Managing Directors Glen Snelgar and Chris Sykes relocate the non-livestock business to Chertsey high-street, focusing on General, Antique, and Plant & Machinery Auctions.

2000 - 2014
Website Department Images 26

Chertsey premises thrive, employing up to 65 staff. Tuesday General Auctions grow, specialising in warehouse retail returns, lost property, and refurbished electrical goods. Guildford saleroom expands into fine jewellery, paintings, antiques, and unredeemed pawnbroker pledges. Up to eleven off-site architectural auctions held annually, achieving record results.

2015

Chertsey premises sold and the main operation is moved over to Milton Keynes with an emphasis on timed auctions with multiple auctions every day of the week.

2016
Website Department Images 33

Retail auctions successfully move to Guildford amid the acquisition of Jacobs & Hunt agricultural business at West Meon. Wellers begins holding a minimum of three off-site farm auctions per year, attracting nearly 500 attendees per sale.

2019
Website Department Images 29

Wellers continues to combine traditional and modern auction methods, amid record sales for remote architectural salvage auctions, including a major three-day closing-down sale for Fagins Antiques in Exeter, selling nearly 1,000 lots for almost £200,000.

2025
Website Department Images 30

Live auctions with bidders in the room are re-introduced, combining the excitement of in-person auctions with the accessibility of online bidding.

Our Partners

At Wellers, we’re proud to work alongside a trusted network of partners who help us deliver seamless auction experiences and strengthen our ties within the community. Our auction software provider, Easy Live Auction, not only powers our back-end systems to ensure everything runs smoothly, but also showcases our auctions to a global audience. IT Support Plus delivers expert technical solutions to keep our business secure and connected, while leading online platforms including The Saleroom, iBidder, and BidSpotter allow us to reach bidders worldwide and maximise visibility for our sales.

Locally, we partner with New House Art Space, engaging with Guildford’s creative community, and Experience Guildford, collaborating to support and promote the town where our saleroom continues to thrive. Together, these partnerships combine innovation, reliability, and community spirit, all the while helping Wellers to remain a trusted and dynamic auction house.