Allsop & Co's two-day commercial property auction in October realised a staggering £105 million ($152 million) with 215 lots sold and a success rate of 87%, making the sale the UK's largest ever property auction. 30 lots sold for more than £1 million ($1.45 million). Across the sale prices averaged 10% above reserve.

Allsop's Auctioneer Duncan Moir said: 'The room was packed. Our regular buyers were there but there was a host of new faces-- private investors disenchanted with the stock market and attracted by the yields on well-let properties.'

Nelson Bakewell's October sale dispelled any doubts over sentiment among investors at auction as the company's largest-ever sale raised £35 million ($50.75 million) with an overall success rate of 85%.