Newport-based property auction house Paul Fosh Auctions has opened a new chapter of its business with the official opening of new offices in the heart of the city.

Paul Fosh Auctions has relocated from Church Road to a Grade II listed building in Lower Dock Street, in the historic and up-and-coming former docks area in the city of Newport.

Paul Fosh, owner of Paul Fosh Auctions, threw open the doors to the new office last week to showcase the completely renovated ground floor of the premises.

The move by Wales’ largest and most successful property auction business to the former Italian restaurant building, over three floors with connecting sweeping staircase, has been prompted by expansion and the need for more space.

Paul Fosh, owner and auctioneer of the business, recently opened new auction bases in Bristol to serve the west of England city and the south west and another in North Wales.

Paul, who first established Paul Fosh Auctions at offices in the Gold Tops area of the city, says there is plenty of room to expand at the former Bella Mammas, Gambarini’s restaurant

“We have so much more space compared to our former premises. It’s ideal for staff but also for clients visiting the office

“Our new, prestigious, Grade II listed premises offers a huge amount of space over three floors and a basement in which to expand. There is also parking.

"We will be able to house all our records, keep dead files currently stored elsewhere, on site, our existing and new staff and also to develop and grow new areas of the business, such as property management and property related gatherings.

“I believe that the Lower Dock Street area, a once very important part of the busy town linked to the Port of Newport but more recently a rather neglected part of the city of Newport, is up and coming.

“The new building we’ve acquired gives Paul Fosh Auctions a prominent new presence and stature reflecting our stature as a growing business which is proud of its roots in the city of Newport.”

There is even a watchtower on top of the building which, when the building was originally used as an immigration centre linked to the Port of Newport in the last century, would have been used as a look out for ships and boats entering the harbour.

Paul Fosh Auctions stages eight auction sales a year from its sales room at The Park Inn Hotel, Llanedyrn, Cardiff. It now also stages a similar amount of auctions each year in North Wales and in Bristol. The recently launched Paul Fosh Auction online offering will also be boosted by the expansion.

The next Paul Fosh Auction will be staged at The Park Inn Hotel, Llanedryn, Cardiff, on Thursday, February 8, starting at 5pm; the Bristol auction is at the same time on Tuesday, February 13 and in North Wales on Thursday, February 15.