0:00:07 > 0:00:09We may live in a digital age,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15but a surprising amount of British trade is still done the old-fashioned way...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17RAPID AUCTIONEER'S PATTER
0:00:19 > 0:00:21..at traditional auctions.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Now's your time to get a bargain.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27These sales may feel like throwbacks to a bygone age...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..but for the buyers and sellers who flock to them,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34they're still the best way to conduct business.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36At 1,600. Blow your nose and bid again.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40We'll be visiting the UK's most dynamic traditional markets.
0:00:41 > 0:00:47Selling everything from pigs to cattle, sheep dogs to ponies,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49580.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..fish to veg.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55And discovering how they are the heartbeat of rural life.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58They'll be bargains to be had today.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- 450.- That's part of being at an auction.
0:01:01 > 0:01:07Today, we are in Lincolnshire at the UK's largest horticultural auction.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12- 36 carrots.- 36? We've got another 12 to come, then.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15On we go then to the cabaret.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17110. 120 has the lady bid. Gentleman, 130.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20We'll be meeting the auctioneers in the hot seat...
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- 140.- Yeah, do the best you can and don't mess about today.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26..and following the fortunes of three buyers and sellers.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28I've arrived with an empty van,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31so a successful day would be I can fill it
0:01:31 > 0:01:33and go home with some bargains.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36As they experience all the excitement...
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- You've got accommodation down in DC.- ..and tension...
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Sometimes it's dread news and sometimes it's good.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44..as the hammer falls.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Oh, they break your heart with this, don't they?
0:01:54 > 0:01:58We're in Spalding, an ancient market town in Lincolnshire,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00the largest county in the East of England.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05It's famed for its big skies and rich soil.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08A quarter of all the UK's plants and vegetables are grown here.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12And on the edge of Spalding
0:02:12 > 0:02:16is Britain's oldest and biggest horticultural market,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Spalding Auction House.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21This one, that one, that one.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23He grows a few varieties, then.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26It's been going an impressive 70 years
0:02:26 > 0:02:29in this heartland of British horticulture.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33People come people come from a radius of 50, 60 miles here today.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Some really nice stuff, yeah.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Nice bit of colour. Good value for money on that.
0:02:38 > 0:02:4310p to 20p per plant could make a lot of difference.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47The auction happens three times a week, come rain or shine
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and often attracts as many as 40 buyers.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Now including wonky peppers.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54They all taste the same, don't they?
0:02:55 > 0:02:57There are two separate auctions today -
0:02:59 > 0:03:03a veg auction, selling over 1,000 bags and boxes of veg.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Yes, please. Thank you.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07And a horticultural auction,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12selling 16,000 flowers, plants, and shrubs.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Hello, how are you? - I'm fine, thanks.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23It takes two auctioneers to do the selling.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Is it working all right, this week? Because...- Well, I don't know.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29It was going a little bit funny earlier.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Claire Pearson on veg.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Most of the produce we receive
0:03:34 > 0:03:37will have been either cut that day,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41or the previous day. So it is very fresh.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43And Ady Williams on plants.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46The most important thing is knowing your customers
0:03:46 > 0:03:47and knowing what you're selling.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50When you're actually lining up a trolley of plants,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52you know who's going to be bidding for those,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and what sort of money they're looking to pay.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57So you've virtually know you've sold it before you do.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- It's a ginseng plant, look. - Oh, right.- All swollen roots.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- That's unusual, isn't it? - It's a bonsai.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- Indoor or outdoor?- Indoor.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Claire's veg auction is a vital market
0:04:07 > 0:04:10for the region's many smaller growers.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Look at these, look.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Lots of the local farmers are quite small.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17They only have a few acres,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21so they're not big enough to sell to multiples.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25This is the perfect outlet for them.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26BELL RINGS
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Time for the auction to begin.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30Morning, everybody.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- Morning, Claire. - Did you miss me last week?
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- Who?- Thank you, Mr Hazell.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Everything is fresh and must all be sold before the auction is over,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43because it won't be fresh tomorrow.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46We could have 500 lots.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50So we do move through an awful lot of produce.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52We have to go pretty quickly.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55We're on a time limit.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00We have to start at 11:00 and have to be done by 12:30.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Now we have the sprout stalks.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05These are in fives. Five lots on offer.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06Stop me at £1. £1 bid.
0:05:06 > 0:05:081.10, 1.20, 1.30.
0:05:08 > 0:05:101.40. £2.
0:05:10 > 0:05:112.10, 2.20.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14The veg is being sold to a range of local buyers,
0:05:14 > 0:05:19mostly purchasing for their own shops, restaurants or market stalls.
0:05:19 > 0:05:202.80 right at the back.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Any further bids? We're at 2.80.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24Are you bidding, sir? No.
0:05:24 > 0:05:262.80 then. Right on the back row.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32There's a lot to sell and a need for speed.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36So the auctioneers are moved around on mobile platforms,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38like Wimbledon umpires on wheels.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42When we do the selling, we're sat on a rostrum which is about
0:05:42 > 0:05:44five, six foot up in the air.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47And it is a bit unique because, at other places,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49we'll bring the goods in front of a fixed station.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50But we are not, we are portable.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53At the heart of this auction
0:05:53 > 0:05:56is quality veg from highly experienced producers.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59If you want to buy, you just buy.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02We've got a good relationship with all of our growers.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05They're fairly regular and some of them put in every single sale,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08so they know we're going to do a good job.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I really would like to start at £2 today.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14All right, after you, keep going.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18They don't come much more regular than seller John Dix.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21He's been bringing his produce here for nearly four decades.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23They are good stuff, whoever they are.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27There's not that many local markets on a Wednesday, see,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29so people can come.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32They come from a long way away here, you know.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36John has nearly a tonne of potatoes for sale today.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But there's a UK potato glut right now, so he's worried.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46It's a bad year to sell potatoes, because such hellish yields.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48I mean there is talk that
0:06:48 > 0:06:51some of the growers are not even going to lift them.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Some of the bigger growers.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Probably an average yield will be 20 tonnes per acre.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Some of these fellas, this year, are talking about 30.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06But John thinks he'll beat the glut, because the spuds he grows,
0:07:06 > 0:07:11Maris Pipers, are, in his view, irresistible.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14South Lincolnshire Maris Piper is definitely,
0:07:14 > 0:07:19definitely the finest chipping, eating potato in all of the world.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20And that's a fact, sir.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23But he needs good prices,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26because his sales at the auction produce most of his income.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35John lives with his wife Jackie just six miles from Spalding.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39They've been farming their 100 acres here for the past 40 years.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Jackie and myself do try to do as much as we can ourselves
0:07:44 > 0:07:46because that really is, to me,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49that's what a smallholding always was, you know,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51man and wife working together.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Like many smallholders,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55they grow a variety of crops throughout the year.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02The field we're in now is sprouting broccoli.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06We grow seven different varieties.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11Its maturity ranges from basically now
0:08:11 > 0:08:13until next May.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15It's a beautiful, beautiful thing to eat.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Eat it how you want.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Beautiful. Tastes beautiful.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25But John's biggest passion is his potatoes,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28and there's only one variety that counts.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32There variety we grow is always Maris Piper.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37I've never, ever had a bad comment on the taste, or anything to do with...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40South Lincolnshire Maris Piper, not just ours,
0:08:40 > 0:08:42but South Lincolnshire Maris Piper.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Again, I'm very biased, obviously. I'm going to be, aren't I?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We should be ready to start grading, then, ready for tomorrow.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52That's hope they make some money. You never know your luck.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56First introduced in the mid-1960s,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Maris Piper has become a firm British favourite for chips,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02roasties and mash.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05It's got a beautiful taste.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Easy to chip for the fish and chip shops, on a commercial basis.
0:09:09 > 0:09:10Baked potato.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14It's just like cream, without cream on it.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16It's the ultimate taste.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19John and Jackie harvested all these potatoes about a month ago.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24They take them in batches to the auction each week,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27so they can keep their customers supplied throughout the winter.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31The grading machine begins by sifting out spuds
0:09:31 > 0:09:33that are too small to sell.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Jackie then inspects each one to double-check quality
0:09:37 > 0:09:40before being bagged up by John.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Then onto the pallet.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Now, in the real modern farming world,
0:09:45 > 0:09:46this would be stacked automatically.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51The only automatic thing about this pallet stacker is me.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56The couple harvest about 100 tonnes of Maris Piper every autumn.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Take that one across the bottom. - That's it.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03And keep them cool, dark and protected from frost
0:10:03 > 0:10:06under a special potato blanket.
0:10:07 > 0:10:08Put that one up a bit.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11But farming can be an unpredictable livelihood
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and, for John, it never stops.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I actually had a couple of big tractor expenses this year,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19so you've got to keep earning, as any business has.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22You never know what's round the corner, really.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25We all understand the nature of trade and trading.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27You can't always have the top dollar.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29You can't always win, you know.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33And with the UK potato glut causing low prices,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35the auction could be challenging for John.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37No, no, no. No, no!
0:10:37 > 0:10:39This last year was a very good price...
0:10:40 > 0:10:43..for potatoes, last year, because there was just not the crop.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47But always, when that happens, you're in trouble the next year.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Because everybody jumps in and too many grown.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53The load that I will take tomorrow, I would hope
0:10:53 > 0:10:59for it to gross out between £120 and £150 for the load,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02which is good, you know.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05If we meet that target, I'll be overjoyed.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14On we go.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Just one little box.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22You've picked the dodgy trolley, haven't you?
0:11:23 > 0:11:24So are we on number 980?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Yeah. 89460.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31John Dix takes his produce to be sold at Spalding
0:11:31 > 0:11:33twice a week through the winter.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35The reason that Spalding auction, in my opinion,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37is still so very popular,
0:11:37 > 0:11:42as it certainly is - fresh produce, knowing where it's come from,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45knowing where it's grown and they can trust the product.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50He's brought almost a tonne with him,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52loaded in ten kilo and 25 kilo bags.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56He's got a reserve of £1 for the smaller bags
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and £1.80 for the larger ones.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01We all put a reserve price on.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Which I do. A low reserve, because I want the product to go.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10For John, it's as much about pride as it is about prices.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13So he takes his opportunity to check out the competition.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I like to have a look around before I go away,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20just to see what the opposition's putting up front today.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24So I can judge whether I'm doing right or wrong on the sales, really,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26you know. It's my own little research.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Despite this year's potato glut,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33John's spotted something that's cheered him up.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36There are very few Maris Pipers here.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39There's not too many.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I don't know how many Maris Piper growers are in here,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44but there's probably only a couple
0:12:44 > 0:12:47and you can see there's quite a lot of potatoes in.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52This year, there does seem to be a shortage of Maris Piper.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Because it's a very difficult potato to grow.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I mean, some of these spuds,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59you chuck down in the field and they grow on their own nearly.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01But Maris Piper will get every mortal affliction
0:13:01 > 0:13:03that Jesus can throw at it.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06And unless you're ready for it, you'll get caught out.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09So there you go. It's a difficult one to grow, but, this year,
0:13:09 > 0:13:10it's definitely reaping a benefit.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11It's selling quite well.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13I'm not going to say too much,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16because that might fall to bits today, but we'll see.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Right, here you are then, Ian. - Good morning, Mr Dix.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Yeah, do the best you can and don't mess about today.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23All right? Get shot on them.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Thank you very much. - Thank you. See you tomorrow.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Like many sellers, John won't be staying at the auction,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32because he is keen to get back to work.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35He'll find out what his produce gets after the event.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38It's pointless hanging around.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40They've got our reserves, we trust them,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44we trust the auctioneers and what's the point?
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Crack on, go home, do something else.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52So, for John, it's now a wait to see if the buyers at the auction
0:13:52 > 0:13:55love his Maris Pipers as much as he does.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Got a bid here at £5.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Any further bids?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07John's potatoes are about to go under the hammer.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Spalding buyers have their own codenames,
0:14:10 > 0:14:15so the likes of Mr July and Mr Mash are getting ready to do battle.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We'll move along now to the Piper.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Maris Piper. In the ten kilo bags.
0:14:21 > 0:14:2340 on offer. Stop me at £1.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25£1 bid. One, 1.10, 1.10.
0:14:25 > 0:14:271.10 on my left. 1.10...
0:14:27 > 0:14:29First up are the 10K bags.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32John was hoping for a minimum of £1 each.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Anybody else, 1.40? 1.50. 1.50, just here.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Just in front of me. Do you want to go again, sir, on the back?
0:14:39 > 0:14:401.50.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I'm taking this bid at 1.50.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Mr July. Five bags.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47He's got his price.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50But the bidder only wants five bags.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54The remaining 35 are offered back to the losing bidders.
0:14:54 > 0:14:551.50 he bids me.
0:14:55 > 0:14:571.50. Any advance on 1.50?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Do you want to go again, sir? 1.50.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02If they aren't taken, they might be going back to John.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06I've got a bit at the back of the room for 1.50.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07Team clears.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10A bidder steps up.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13And clears means that he's bought all of them.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Next up is the larger 25K bags.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21John's brought 20 to sell and has set a low reserve of 1.80 per bag.
0:15:22 > 0:15:2425 kilo bags.
0:15:24 > 0:15:2620 on offer. Start me at 2.50.
0:15:26 > 0:15:282.50 bid, thank you.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Got the bid just in front of me. 2.50.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Anybody else bidding? 2.60.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33Thank you, sir. 2.60.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34Any more bids.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35We are at 2.60.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37I can't see any more hands, can you?
0:15:37 > 0:15:412.60. Mr Mash.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45The winning bidder for John's spuds pays 2.60 for each bag.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48But it seems he also doesn't want the whole lot.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Ten to Mr Mash.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Five to Mr Margin.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Five left. Who's in for the last five?
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Anybody?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Nope. On we move, then.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Thank you, Mr Margin, we're clear.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06It's good news for John.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11His Maris Pipers have done him proud as he's sold all his bags.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Tonight, he'll get the total figure.
0:16:13 > 0:16:162.20. 2.30 here.
0:16:16 > 0:16:172.30.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23With its huge flat fields and rich soil,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Lincolnshire is Britain's most important county for growing.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32A quarter of all UK veg production happens right here.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34And, in some areas,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38nearly one in four of the population work in agriculture.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44Agriculture and farming is the lifeblood of this area.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Everything revolves around it.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51Nearly every business that you deal with has got something to do with
0:16:51 > 0:16:53agriculture, even if you go...
0:16:54 > 0:16:55..to the bank,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58there's an agricultural manager for the area from each bank.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Food and farming contributes a mighty £2.5 billion
0:17:05 > 0:17:07to the local economy,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10making it the third most important business in the region.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Growing has always been hugely important here
0:17:16 > 0:17:19and Spalding veg auction was founded in 1948,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23as a hub for buying and selling the region's output.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27In the mid-90s,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30the market outgrew its town centre location and moved here
0:17:30 > 0:17:32to the outskirts of town.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37But it remains the beating heart of the county's agri-business.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41We have buyers come here from all over the country
0:17:41 > 0:17:45because they know the product is fresh.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46They can see it with their own eyes.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Two to Mr Claw.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Cromer clears. We have two more boxes.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Anybody else bidding? 1.50.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Cheers, all.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01The auction tradition for bidders to have codenames goes back some years.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05At 90 bid. I thought you were thinking about bidding, Mr Monster.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08It's a way to avoid the market mixing up clients
0:18:08 > 0:18:10with similar surnames.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12At 95p.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14July.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17But, in the cloak and dagger world of the auction,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20it also allows buyers to operate less obtrusively.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25When you first register with the auction house, you are given a name.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29I was very fortunate because I'd filled my form out correctly and neatly,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32I was allowed to pick my name, so we picked Halo.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34We're still going up here at 1.65.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Mr Halo.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39They have bidding names, so that has been a challenge,
0:18:39 > 0:18:40learning all of those.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45And the highest bidder will probably...
0:18:45 > 0:18:50I'll say it's Mr whoever wins the bid and they'll go like that.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52And that's how many they want to buy.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Or whatever.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Sprout stalk. These are from our finest grower.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Let's not muck about. 1.50.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Hold it there, mate.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I changed the fertiliser this year.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11We did, actually.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17It's not just sellers who rely on the auction for their livelihoods -
0:19:17 > 0:19:21many of those who buy here need to source quality veg from Spalding
0:19:21 > 0:19:23to keep their businesses running.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Selling then.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Buyer James Dawson owns a fruit and veg stall in Scunthorpe.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35The auction is vital for him to keep his stall going.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37But he also needs to pay low prices
0:19:37 > 0:19:40to have any chance of making a profit.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45People do tend to prefer to buy locally grown vegetables,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49especially if it's got the word Spalding attached to it,
0:19:49 > 0:19:50or it's grown in that area.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52It does seem to sell better.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Low prices at auction also have a positive impact on sales,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59so they're doubly important.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I'm quite reliant on Spalding auction. Price comes into it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04If I pay less at the auction,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07then the customer pays less on the stall
0:20:07 > 0:20:09and that way I sell a little bit more.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Hi there, are you all right?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21James's stall is 70 miles away from Spalding
0:20:21 > 0:20:22at Scunthorpe market.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Anything else I can get you? Just that, yeah? Just 95.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29His family have traded at the market here
0:20:29 > 0:20:34for half a century and James started off on a family plant stall
0:20:34 > 0:20:36before venturing into veg.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38The opportunity came up for the stall,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40which has always been pole position,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43one of the best looking stalls on the market.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45So when that came available, I took the opportunity.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It is all a bit new to me, really.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52I never used to like veg, really, as a kid, but, yeah,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54I can't get enough of it, really, now. Yeah.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Pretty much everything James sells is from the Spalding auction.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02His customers love the quality.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05But James knows he has to be very careful with prices.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07There you go.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Supermarkets have had a huge impact on market traders like James.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16If his prices are too high, he risks having no customers.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Pop them in there. It's all right.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Five for a pound.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23The economic superstore of the stall are stark.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Almost all the income from the weekdays
0:21:25 > 0:21:27is needed to cover overheads.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32So he needs a good day on Saturday and low prices at auction
0:21:32 > 0:21:35if he's to pay himself a wage at all.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40Monday to Friday, that just about covers wages for the week,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43rent, and fuel expenses.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46And it all really hinges on how good a Saturday we have
0:21:46 > 0:21:49to whether I actually draw a wage,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52but the more keen the prices I pay at the auction,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54that can make a difference, sometimes, yeah.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56There you go. Sorry?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I'm just wondering why them carrots look like that.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- Well, they're like red ones. - Oh.- Nice. Sweet. Yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06That is one of the main reasons why I do buy a lot of my
0:22:06 > 0:22:09stuff of the auction. It is cheaper than the wholesale market.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Is that right? There you go, then. Thank you.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17Prices tend to be at least 25% cheaper, I would say,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20even when I'm buying the best quality stuff from there,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23it always works out cheaper than the wholesalers.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25There you are, look, there's a good 'un.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29At auction, James has to juggle two competing priorities.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32He has to get stock, or he can't run the stall.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Thank you, that's lovely.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36But he can't pay too much for anything,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39or he'll have no chance of making a profit.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46On we go, then, to the cabaret.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50No, we won't sing today.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53We sell a lot of the time and everybody wants the big 'uns.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58So there's a lot at stake today for young James.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01He needs the highest quality for the lowest prices.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05I've arrived with an empty van,
0:23:05 > 0:23:06so a successful day would be
0:23:06 > 0:23:09I can fill it and go home with some bargains.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15The canny young stallholder, bidder name Magnolia,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19plans to use his knowledge of how the auction works to his advantage.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24He wants leeks, but he treads carefully.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Next we have the leeks.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30These are in four and a half kilo boxes.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Ten boxes on offer.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Most lots at the auction consist of multiple bags, or boxes,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38of the same vegetable from one supplier.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43If the winning bidder only wants part of the lot,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46the auctioneer will offer the rest to others who have also bid.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Let's start these of at 2.50.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51Bid. Thank you.
0:23:51 > 0:23:532.50. 2.60. 2.70. 2.80.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57James offers £2.50 straightaway, but bids no more,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59allowing someone else to win the bidding.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02£3, on my left-hand side.
0:24:02 > 0:24:03£3. 3.10. 3.20.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Lady's bid at 3.20. 3.30, now, sir.
0:24:06 > 0:24:083.30 just in front of me.
0:24:08 > 0:24:093.40 now. Thank you.
0:24:09 > 0:24:113.40 on my left-hand side.
0:24:11 > 0:24:133.40. Any further bid?
0:24:13 > 0:24:14I'm at 3.40.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Beaver.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Three to Beaver.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21So only three of the ten boxes have gone.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26The rest will be offered to the next highest bidder at the price they bid.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28- Mr Sharp?- Three, please.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Three to Mr Sharp.
0:24:29 > 0:24:30One to Hay Green.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- What's left?- Magnolia.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Winner at 3.40 and we've got three left. Three to Magnolia.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Three to Magnolia. Thank you, sir.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38We go to the rainbow carrots.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44So James pays 2.50 each, his original bid,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46for four boxes of leeks.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49While the top bidder paid 3.40 a box.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55James uses the same technique to get some bargain carrots.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Would you like three, Mr Magnolia?
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Thank you. Magnolia clears.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00And a host of other veg.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Carrots, peppers, cauliflowers.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Four to Mr Magnolia.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07Did you want to take five? He'll take five.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Thank you. He'll clear.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13It might seem that sellers are losing out, but this method,
0:25:13 > 0:25:19known as under bidding, is designed to ensure that everything gets sold.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22We always try to get the best prices we can for the vendor,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25but, sometimes,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28it's best to sell it at a slightly lower price
0:25:28 > 0:25:31if we know we can clear the product,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35because it's not going to last - it's fresh produce.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37Next are the Tundra.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38These are in sixes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:4030 on offer. Let's go 1.50.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44And there is always good old-fashioned opportunism.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47He's not bidding at all on these cabbages.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48I'm at 1.80, then.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49Any further bids?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Seven. Ten to Mr Seven.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54One to Canoe.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55Four to Margin.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57That's 15 sold.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- Half gone.- But when he realises there's some left,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04he jumps in with a cheeky low bid.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06All 1.50.
0:26:06 > 0:26:07Let's move on to the next lot, then.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Sorry? Mr Magnolia, would you like some?
0:26:10 > 0:26:14- 1.50.- Oh, they break your heart with this, don't they?
0:26:14 > 0:26:15How about 1.60, sir?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- Why not?- He goes 1.60. 1.70 now, you have competition.
0:26:18 > 0:26:201.70 just in front of me.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21You know how it goes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:231.70.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25But he's gone too low.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30Another bidder swoops in, ups the bid by 20p and wins.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Cleared to Mr Chisel.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Outmanoeuvred, James loses the cabbages.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Now we're going to the Stemster.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Next, an all-rounder potato called Stemster.
0:26:42 > 0:26:4325 kilos.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45By going to go 2.50 again.
0:26:45 > 0:26:482.50 bid. 2.60, 2.70 at the back. 2.80, now.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52James needs spuds for his stall, so this time he's taking no chances.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Do you want to go again, sir, at the back?
0:26:54 > 0:26:56No. Three. Are you bidding, sir, no?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58£3. I'm with you, sir.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- Magnolia?- Usually, before the bidding takes place,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05you've made your mind up how many you would want,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07if you are the winning bidder.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11And you've also set a top price in mind,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14because you know what you want to sell it out at,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17so it's just a case of trying not to get carried away,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19because that's quite easy to do.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Look at all the anticipation.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28With his livelihood at stake, James has to work hard to ensure
0:27:28 > 0:27:31he gets his vegetables cheap enough to make a profit
0:27:31 > 0:27:32on his stall this week.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34We're going to start them off 1.50. Bid.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38He'll need to buy a lot more veg before the auction is out.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Six miles away, potato grower John Dix is making that call.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Eager to find out how well his precious Maris Pipers did
0:27:57 > 0:27:58in the auction.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Yeah.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Oh.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11That's good. That'll be the bigger ones.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Yeah. That's very good, thank you.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Yeah, cheers, bye. See you Monday.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20The smaller bags were 50% above my reserve price.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28And the larger bags were 33% above my reserve price.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32So I'm very happy with that, so happy days are here again.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Roll on Monday.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36The ten kilo bags were £1.50
0:28:36 > 0:28:40and the 25kg bags
0:28:40 > 0:28:41were £2.70.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43I'm very happy, very pleased about it.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45I may even have a couple of beers tonight
0:28:45 > 0:28:48but I would have had them whether the price was up or down!
0:28:52 > 0:28:55So an excellent result for John at auction,
0:28:55 > 0:28:59well above what he hoped for and a welcome increase in income -
0:28:59 > 0:29:00for this week, at least.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07We Brits love our potatoes.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10They're worth over £1 billion a year to our national economy
0:29:10 > 0:29:15and nearly 30% of the national crop is grown here in eastern England.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19And the number one UK potato?
0:29:19 > 0:29:22It's that relative newcomer the Maris Piper.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Lincolnshire has seen many potato varieties come and go
0:29:29 > 0:29:31over the last 100 years or so.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37The King Edward has probably been the best survivor.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Still eaten now, well over a century since it was first introduced.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Potatoes need great soil and there's plenty of that here.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Spalding, the soil is very good, nice silt soil.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54All of the area around Spalding,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57a lot of potatoes and greens are grown.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01The soil is really good, because it never really dries out.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05It always holds quite a bit of moisture.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06And it's so easy to work.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11The rich soil is good for flowers, too.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Tulip growing was once big business here.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19The industry is much depleted - gone to Holland and elsewhere.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22But flower growing on a big scale
0:30:22 > 0:30:25remains key to Lincolnshire's agri-economy.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30So the plants are every bit as important
0:30:30 > 0:30:31to the auction house as the veg.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41At 80p. At the back of the room, sir, at 90.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43You're being told off, Mrs Wisbech.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46I'm glad it's not just me that gets told off.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Auctioneer Ady's horticultural sale is going great guns
0:30:51 > 0:30:56with about half the 16,000 plants, shrubs, and trees already sold.
0:30:57 > 0:31:0043 bid. 44. 44.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03With a resigned look on his face, Dixon.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07There's about 30 buyers here today, from market stalls,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10garden centres, and independent shops throughout the county.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17Among the big guns is Charles Stubbs -
0:31:17 > 0:31:19a man with a serious business empire,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22but who always finds time to come to the auction.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Before buying a plant,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26it's very important to see it
0:31:26 > 0:31:29and it's something you need to touch
0:31:29 > 0:31:31and feel and smell.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37Going to the auction and getting there early, to make sure that you
0:31:37 > 0:31:38look at the product
0:31:38 > 0:31:41and make sure it's a quality that you want to buy
0:31:41 > 0:31:43is still very important.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45It's not something you can do over the internet.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Now we're going to azaleas. There's two lots of 12.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52With a chain of ten garden centres to keep supplied,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Charles needs to buy around 4,000 plants today.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00But margins are tight, so the price must be right, too.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04At 1.60. I can't see movement at the back.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05Porter.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16The flagship garden centre of Charles's empire is at Brigg,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19about 65 miles from the auction.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24They started trading here nearly 20 years ago.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28My passion has always been plants.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31I opened my first garden centre in 1990.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34We've now built ourselves to a chain of ten.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37We ought to try and bring a bit more colour through here.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Working in this world was always Charles's dream.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46I was probably only 11 or 12 when I sold my first plant.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50I was literally outside mum and dad's house, sat on the roadside,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54selling conifers, eggs, and bags of potatoes.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57That really gave me a bug for the industry.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01I've got a few pound in my pocket and I thought I'd won the lottery.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04I employed my first person when I was 14,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07so I would look after the business at weekends
0:33:07 > 0:33:09and they would do it in the week.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12See if we've got some more stock.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13From those small beginnings,
0:33:13 > 0:33:18he's built one of the region's biggest horticultural businesses.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21For me, running a garden centre isn't just about numbers,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25it's about making the day a fun place to work,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27a fun place for people to come out.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37From the children's train, to the full-size maze,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Charles's vision is to make his garden centres an experience.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46The latest new attraction - dinosaurs.
0:33:50 > 0:33:51The dinosaurs here,
0:33:51 > 0:33:56some of these were bought from a bankrupt crazy golf course.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00My team thought I was mad and still do,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02but I think it gives it a real feel
0:34:02 > 0:34:05and gives our customers something to smile about.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09We get a lot of visitors coming.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12They can be here three, four, five hours, just to walk round.
0:34:12 > 0:34:13They do love the experience.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20The experience does its job, bringing in customers to buy plants.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Plants are still a huge part of our business,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25that's still the core of a garden centre.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29We sell anything from bedding, to trees, to house plants.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32The range of plants is still very vital to the survival
0:34:32 > 0:34:35of a modern garden centre.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36I'm just filling up...
0:34:38 > 0:34:42..my benches after a busy day. These benches were full yesterday.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Despite the time of year,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53business at Brigg is brisk
0:34:53 > 0:34:55with around 4,000 customers visiting today.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Stock needs to be replaced quickly, so the auction is vital.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06To have had a successful day at the auction, um, yeah,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I need to have bought probably two or three vanfuls.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13And that means buying the right product
0:35:13 > 0:35:15at, hopefully, a bargain price.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18This week, I'm hoping we'll buy some wreaths,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20there'll be some good planted bowls,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23there'll be some good house plants in there.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27It still gives me as bigger buzz now as it did do 30 years ago.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29I still love getting a bargain.
0:35:32 > 0:35:3595. It's a Leicestershire bidder, ladies and gentlemen.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Lovett. That's it, Miss Lovett clears.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43Charles, bidder name to WGC for Woodthorpe garden centre -
0:35:43 > 0:35:45another in the empire -
0:35:45 > 0:35:48needs to buy 4,000 or so plants at the auction today.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Found on the front row.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53So he'd better get stuck in.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55Lot number nine is another individual lot...
0:35:57 > 0:36:02And he's off, bidding 70p a plant on some white cyclamen.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06- 70.- But he's up against rival regular buyer Chris Porter.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Selling now at 80p. Mr Ray Manning.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10And they both lose.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Not doing very well today.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- Plenty of time. - There's plenty of time. Yeah.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18Seven lots of six holly wreaths.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20That's what you're bidding for, ladies and gentlemen.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Were going to start the bidding offers £6.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24I think will make more bids. £6.
0:36:24 > 0:36:25Chris bids on the holly.
0:36:25 > 0:36:276.60. 6.80. £7 bid.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29So does Charles.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Both raising the bid, ladies and gentlemen. At 7.20.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Gentleman bidders are out now.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Mrs Wisbech.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Two lots for Wisbech.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Do you want to bid £7, WGC?
0:36:40 > 0:36:44Two, please. Charles kept them for what he bid, £7.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46How about you at 6.80, Mr Porter?
0:36:46 > 0:36:48- Yes, please.- Clear? How about that.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53But rival Chris Porter gets the rest at what he bid - 20p less.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57I hate it when he buys cheaper than me.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Time for Charles to get his game face on.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02- They're nice.- Yeah, they are.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Calluna trio. Three colours in a pot.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09The tricoloured heather takes his fancy and he jumps in.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10I'm bid 65.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13At 75. Lancashire buyer, ladies and gentlemen.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16WGC, 80 bid. Now you're in the limelight, sir, five.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19At 85. You're out in the spotlight, sir. 90. That's it, sir.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21But another rival bidder's in there, too.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24And 95, but you've got competition, WGC.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27At 95p. Don't be beaten, WGC.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Charles holds back.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30At 95p.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34July. And Mr July gets it.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Small lot for July.
0:37:36 > 0:37:37But it's not over.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Would you like to big one at 90, WGC?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41- Thank you. - He takes the big lot at 90.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43The only bidder.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48As underbidder, Charles gets the bigger lot at 90p a plant.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Now Charles really gets on a roll.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51WGC.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Buying baskets...
0:37:53 > 0:37:55At £8.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56WGC.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Lot number 9, at £2 for the 10, bid.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- It's WGC.- ..and buckets.- 4.75.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04It's WGC.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- Thank you.- WGC has cleared.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Even these reindeer pots can't throw him off course.
0:38:11 > 0:38:12Oh-ho!
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Slippery characters.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19By the time he's done, he's spent a little over £4,000.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Lots seven and eight.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25Got the volume he needed and, above all, some bargains.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- WGC.- Really nice stuff.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33Yeah. Nice bit of colour. Good value for money on that.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34They were just over a pound.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36I'll probably sell them for about five.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Today I think I've generally bought well.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42A couple of things I've may be paid a little bit too much for,
0:38:42 > 0:38:44but very happy how the day's gone.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Yeah. There should be some good deals for us and our customers.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Charles bought nearly 4,500 plants, pots,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57trees and shrubs today.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59About two vans' worth.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Enough to keep his garden centre empire well supplied.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08For the next few days, at least.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16We're moving on to the celeriac.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20We've got 18 by 6.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23The veg auction is drawing to a close.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27Buyer James Dawson still needs some key items
0:39:27 > 0:39:30to keep his market stall going.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34But with margins tight, he needs to buy at low prices.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- Anybody else?- Yeah, I've been outbid on a few things, but,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40I'm not going to pay over the odds.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42- Onto the dirty carrots. - Hopefully, I'll get my carrots.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Up next are dirty carrots.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Cheaper because they are unwashed.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50We have the bunches first.
0:39:50 > 0:39:5216 by 12.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Start me off at £50 bid.
0:39:53 > 0:39:59Thank you. £50. 55. 55, 60. 60, just in front of me at 60.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Any further bids? We're at 60.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Chisel. - Rather than driving the price up
0:40:05 > 0:40:08by trying to outbid his rival, James drops out.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10As he has before,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13hoping the top bidder won't want all of the lot
0:40:13 > 0:40:17and he'll get what he wants at a lower price as underbidder.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Five to Mr Chisel.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22- Mr Magnolia, you were the only bidder.- Five.- Five he wants.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23And it's worked.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28He's got bunches of dirty carrots at just 60p each.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30That's all for me, thanks.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34He's got what he needs to keep the market stall going
0:40:34 > 0:40:37for another week and he's managed to keep his spending low.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Hi, boy. Loading figure?
0:40:39 > 0:40:40Yes, please, thank you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Today, I mean, I've bought sweet chillies, caulis,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51leeks, onions, potatoes,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53broccoli, lettuce.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55There's more people here on Wednesday,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58so prices are a little bit more expensive.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02But a few things I've missed out on, but there we go.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Best buy today would probably be caulis, because they're in 12s.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Normally, their only in sixes
0:41:07 > 0:41:11and so they've worked out cheaper than normal, yeah.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15It's been a good auction for young James.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18He's got the quantity and range of veg he needs,
0:41:18 > 0:41:22but has managed to get it all for less than £200.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23He's bagged enough bargains
0:41:23 > 0:41:26to ensure that he won't just break even this week,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29but should make enough profit to pay himself a decent wage.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41After two auctions, over 1,000 bags, boxes, and nets of veg,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46and more than 15,000 plants, trees and shrubs later,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49today's Spalding market is over.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52Thank you very much for coming.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54We'll see you again next week.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55Thank you, goodbye.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Really went well today.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03We had all sorts, from small garden centres, market traders,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05people who sell on their gate.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Luckily, they all turned up today, so it was really good.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12It speaks for itself on how important it is to all the buyers.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15They come from far and wide, all over the country, to go there.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17It was a good day, everybody's happy.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18Didn't have any complaints.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20A lot of people went home smiling.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26It's a tough business and margins are tight,
0:42:26 > 0:42:30but John Dix for one is determined to remain philosophical.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Always bear in mind that famous,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38famous line from Rudyard Kipling's poem If.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43Success and failure, treat both those impostors just the same.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Because this week you'll be up, next week you'll be down.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50So let's just take the mean from life and keep living.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51Thank you.