Final sale for Masterton auction house | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

The hammer will fall at Mick D's Auction for the last time later this month as the business prepares to close after its building was assessed an earthquake risk.

The old Opera House, on Lincoln Rd, Masterton, was deemed a risk to life in the event of a moderate earthquake last month, and its tenants ordered to leave.

Jeanie Hagger, who runs Mick D's Auctions out of the building, said the firm's final clearance auction on will be held on Saturday, January 21.

She said when news broke about the building, many people made last-minute offers of goods for auction but she had to decline.

"As of December 31 only staff were allowed in," she said. "When we found out we weren't allowed to let the general public in, we stopped taking goods."

Ms Hagger said she has contacted most people who have goods with the business and they were content with having their stuff sold at the last auction.

"They're quite happy to go with the flow," she said.

The public would be allowed into the building for the final auction, "and then that's it".

Ms Hagger has decided to finish the business, as she said she was unable to find a big enough building in Masterton at a similar rate.

She said she and the staff were "a little bit upset but unfortunately that's the way things have gone".

After the auction, staff will stay on site to clean up.