Behind the scenes at Lots Road Auction House in Chelsea, an Aladdin's cave bursting with magnificent artefacts showcasing the ever-changing taste of London's super-rich. Populated by eagle-eyed collectors, opportunistic dealers and eccentric staff, the auction house is a backdrop for extraordinary characters buying and selling over 400 items each week.
Episode 1
Jun 17, 2014
Irritable Lots Road boss Roger has decided that the auction house needs a radical facelift. Some of his employees are in open revolt, while they also try to keep up with the fickle tastes of their eccentric customers. Meanwhile, regular visitors Michael and Craig have returned to Lots Road with some items they're eager to auction. The couple have been selling for 15 years but their eye for a bargain and eccentric taste mean their home is a treasure trove full to the brim with antiques. Other frequent customers include Sam and Lili, who are looking for some furniture suitable for the seven-bedroom mansion set in its own park that Lili has just bought. One item in particular has attracted Lili's attention: an elaborate piece of art coated in gold and shaped like a giant vagina. Lili thinks it looks expensive and makes a statement but is it worth the money?
Episode 2
Jun 24, 2014
It's the morning after the weekly auction: the busiest day of the week at Lots Road as the items for next week's auction begin to arrive. Many of these are sourced by external valuer Andrew, who visits the homes of Chelsea's super-rich in search of once-treasured items that no longer fit with their ever-changing tastes. Lots Road regular Sam returns to the auction house as her quest to decorate her renovated house continues. Although she sets herself a spending limit, it turns out that her purchases are not quite the bargain she'd hoped they would be.
Episode 3
Jul 1, 2014
This episode is all about taking risks. When long-serving valuer Bob takes a gamble on a shipping tycoon's rococo-style bedroom suite, descriptions range from 'dictator chic' to 'a monstrosity'. Bob is unsure about it as auction day beckons, especially since boss Roger Ross is clamping down on risky lots. Meanwhile, the auction house's youngest valuer, Megan, is questioning her own choices as she nervously enters 40 designer handbags into auction. Will Roger's scepticism about the collection, which includes a puce Chanel, be proven right or will the fashionistas of Chelsea come calling? And pawnbroker 'Johnny Cash' has come to auction with a vintage Playboy bunny girl outfit he's convinced will go for over £2000. But can he convince risk-averse Roger and his team of valuers?
