News & Press
Meet The Trader – Alasdair Scott
Time to read all about our next fabulous ‘Meet The Trader’ Alasdair Scott at The Old Bakehouse Mousehole!
Q- How long have you been trading at Sunbury Antiques Market?
A- I first started trading at Kempton in 1989 at the age of 25 after chatting to a dealer at Ascott car boot they suggested it might be great way to increase my trading.
Q- What did you previously do before starting in the antique trade?
A- I have been in the trade all my working life, being brought and spoon fed the auction lifestyle by my mother now at the age of 86 who still stalls out at Kempton once a month. At the age of 16 I got a job with Perry Antiques Woking, Andrew Perry who also trades at Kempton today, I remember asking him how could I get into the trade, his advice was to become a restorer, as you could handle and understand items and the trade in 1983 I began my 5 year apprenticeship.
Q- What is your most memorable moment at Kempton or Sandown (maybe something funny)?
A- The thing about the trade there is always a story to tell profits, losses, good buys, bad buys we have all done it but its the camaraderie I love. One memorable moment was on leaving Kempton just getting on the the M3 carnage insued, 10 vehicles in front of me pulling out of the fast lane I could see a white van on its side with its roof crushed on the central reservation, pulling on the the hard shoulder I instinctively new it was a traders van, by the time I reached the van the dealer was sitting on the side of his van, dazed but in one piece concerned about not been able to find his mobile, I headed back down the motorway finding his jacket then wallet and mobile returning it to him, I happened to inquire what he traded in, he looked towards the back of his van saying you really don’t want to know, glass and china, instinctively we both laughed both at the same time visualising the carnage inside. Nine hours later the dealer arrived home, longest Kempton he had ever had, a month later trading once again at Kempton I met up for a coffee recalling the dealers Harry Houdini impression. Like I said there is always a story.
Q – What’s the best find you’ve ever had here?
A- My best buy was not necessarily my most profitable but the item I really enjoyed buying was a carved ceylonese box, the workmanship was incredible and it ended up been returned to it Country of origin.
Q- What significant changes have you seen in the trade?
A- The biggest change is me still thinking I am 25 but the reflection in the mirror tells another story, the industry naturally changes the last ten years has seen a explosion of Internet trading this is a little like marmite some traders love it some hate it but for me it has revolutionised the industry for buying and selling.
Q- What’s your style?
A- My style is traditional, in the 19th century there were some amazing retailers up and down Regent Street, Oxford Street and the West End of London supplying fascinating and fine quality goods to the well healed to this is my style
Q- What brings you back time and again?
A- Kempton is a traditional traders market, dealers wanting to turn over goods so as a buyer there is a constant flow of new goods to the market place. The Old saying stick three antique dealers on a dessert island and they will always make a profit. Kempton is well run and maintains the buzz like no other fair, understanding buyers and sellers needs.
Q- What is the one thing you cannot live without?
A- Truthfully there is nothing I could live without, everything I own is always for sale we are just guardians of items I would rather of had something for a day rather than never had it at all. I love the trade its part of my genetic make up, I don’t work I enjoy myself every day the uncertainty of what you might find is the drive, its like gambling with a little bit of knowledge, there is such diversity in the industry you can continuously keep learning.
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