Some reclamation yards have remained open, especially those serving construction industry professionals, but now architectural salvage showrooms are reopening to the general public. Although some yards are remaining, and some always were, view by appointment only. So we would advise checking exact days and times of opening before travelling. Government guidelines on social distancing will also limit the number of customers allowed in at any one time. One salvage yard opting for an appointment only system, The Old Yard, based in Shropshire,UK, said that customers are loving having the whole yard to themselves. See the Salvo directory to link to dealer websites in your area to find out more. These are exciting times for reclaimed home renovators who cannot wait to browse the full range of reclaimed and antique items on offer. Plus many dealers will have newly renovated stock having been busy in their workshops during lockdown. The image shows the Mongers Architectural Salvage showroom, based in Norfolk, UK, now open to the public.
 
The UK National Federation of Demolition Contractors survey of April 2020 reported that forty five percent of their members demolition sites had closed and only seventeen percent remained open. The rest reporting a mix; with some demolition sites open and some closed. However outlook is now more positive for the future with many projects restarting and clients requesting estimates again.
 
Restoration projects have also resumed. Ashwells Reclaimed Timber are supplying reclaimed wood for a Victorian pier restoration. Shotley Pier based in Suffolk, UK is around 180 meters long. It has a fascinating history and once held a railway. The pier has carried mail, coal, munitions and sailors to the HMS Ganges. The project and Ashwells both feature on television, with ITV Anglia's Katie Prout. Recently derelict the pier was bought by the Shotley Community Benefit Society, who have also raised funds to restore it. The pier is in a designated Area of Natural Beauty.
 
Mike Byrnes owner of Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage based in Oregon, USA has chosen now as the time to expand. He is constructing a building onsite of over eight thousand square feet. Most of which will be for a retail showroom and the rest for extra warehouse space. Their old historic mill building will also continue to be used for sales. Mike wants create a space to display larger salvaged items and he had no intention of another recession stopping him. They are currently doing curbside pickup and delivery only. To contact Aurora Mills see the Salvo world-wide online directory.
 
Auctioneers, TW Gaze hold regular auction sales of architectural salvage, garden antiques, statuary, rural and domestic bygones. They have continued to work remotely. Auction rooms director, Elizabeth Talbot, familiar to many from her regular appearances on BBC television programmes such as Flog It and Bargain Hunt, has been providing their online valuation service. Elizabeth also commented in a recent Telegraph interview, 'Interestingly the imposed time at home may well produce a range of new items.' Some from those liquidising assets in 'pinching times' and some from those who have spent time 'clearing out cupboards.' Or maybe attics and sheds. The Gaze auction sales have been primarily online via the-saleroom.com but they will now be gradually bringing back live open public auctions. Online catalogues will either be timed auctions with some live events conducted by an auctioneer. Do not miss the timed Architectural Auction on Wednesday 1st July 2020. Closing at 4pm. The Diss Auction Rooms contacts: Telephone: + 44 (0)1379 650306 or email [email protected]. See the link to their latest auction catalogues and calendar.
 
Antique and salvage fairs and markets in the UK are taking the first steps to reopen. See a few already announced listed below:
Saturday 27th June: Arthur Swallow are holding a one day only fully outdoor Antiques & Salvage Market at the Cheshire Showground. Location: Tabley, near Knutsford, Cheshire UK. WA16 0AE. Insitu Manchester announced on social media they will be standing.
Monday 29th June: IACF are holding a June Runway Antiques and Collectors Fair at Newark. Location: Runway Newark, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK. NG24 2NY
Tuesday 7th July: The first date for the regular Sunbury Antiques Market run by Surrey Antiques Ltd. Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury On Thames, UK. TW16 5AQ
 
Keep an eye on the Salvo event calendar online for more fairs, markets and auctions. Plus see the Salvo directory for links to fair organiser websites.
 
Is the future of use reuse? Climate change seems to be inspiring editorials to make this a time for real change. Activists have been calling on governments to give greater support to sustainable industries. See the link to The Guardian news story about charity leaders demanding support for a green recovery. Great Thunberg, the seventeen year old climate activist, has called for the United Nations Security Council to demand a commitment for change from countries, such as Norway and Canada, who currently subsidise oil companies and fossil fuel production. Action on transport with increased bike lanes and financial support for switching to electric cars have also featured. However government support for the increased use of reclaimed building materials would make a significant difference to C02 levels. The environmental benefits of reuse in the construction industry are huge. Unfortunately the crisis has yet to show real action in long term sustainability policies from government in this area.
 
However the UK climate change policy to meet net zero carbon targets by 2050 continues to support carbon sequestration with tree planting and wood as a renewable energy source. But The Telegraph environmental correspondent, Emma Gatten, reports experts such as Professor Dieter Helm, from Oxford University, find its benefits questionable. Duncan Brack, an energy specialist, Chatham House, warned claims of cutting trees down to create energy to be carbon neutral as 'highly dubious'.
 
Meanwhile London Mayor, Sadiq Khan recently said, just before the second annual London Climate Action week, 'the climate emergency remains one of the biggest threats we face.' He is asking both business and political leaders to 'step up efforts to lead' ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021.
 
To end on a lighter note. Architectural salvage searches on Salvo have remained high with over 8,000 unique searches in the last month. Searches feature the usual range of different antique and reclaimed items including fireplaces, windows, doors, gates, York stone flags but interestingly also bars. Maybe some have been missing local public houses? But it is true you can find a complete bar for sale on the Salvo marketplace. They also come in styles to suit every need - from a traditional Victorian gin palace to Art Deco to bespoke recrafted reclaimed wood bars. Some even come with a story such as this one from Wimpole Mews, London. The 1960s cabinets were fitted into the mews house where the scandalous Profumo Affair took place. Now reclaimed due to demolition of the building. It comes in a veneered tropical hardwood finish with a mixture of open front and door covered units with a mirror lined cocktail cabinet. Martini anyone?