Inside Bargain Hunt: Caroline Hawley’s family-run antiques empire

Caroline Hawley has been an expert on BBC One’s bargain hunt for years and has run her own business for decades

Caroline Hawley is a bargain hunting expert(Picture: (Image: BBC))

Bargain Hunt has returned to BBC One with expert Caroline Hawley and her invaluable advice. In 2001 she founded her own company, which she runs together with her husband, who had a very different career before entering the world of auctioneering.

John Hawley, 70, is a former professional footballer who played as a striker for several English clubs including Leeds United, Arsenal and Bradford City. After giving up his career, he took up a coaching role at the Nottingham Forest Academy.

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Today her joint venture with Caroline is based in North Cave and Beverley, East Yorkshire. Interestingly, John started working in his father’s antiques shop in Beverley back in 1966.

After a two-decade break from the industry, he made a comeback in 1986 and has worked in trading, auctions and appraisals ever since. Caroline opened her first antique store in South Cave in 1983 and has been in business ever since.

Caroline Hawley runs an auction house with her husband and son (Picture: (Image: BBC))

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Since 2018, Caroline’s son James has joined the family business and brings in the latest software systems. The independent company specializes in auctions, buying and selling antiques and art, as well as professional appraisals, reports the Express.

Caroline and John deal with a variety of specialist areas such as Asian art, militaria, decorative arts, silver and clocks.

If she hadn’t immersed herself in the world of antiques, Caroline revealed that her passion for fashion and globetrotting would have influenced her career path.

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“If I had a second choice, it would be a fashion designer who lives and works in Paris,” she revealed.

Caroline Hawley hosts a series of charity auctions(Picture: (Image: Evening Gazette))

Revealing her continental preference, she added: “I spend my free time browsing vide-greniers and brocantes in rural Normandy or at home in Yorkshire.”

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Her love of nature and fitness is evident when she shares, “I also love long coastal walks with my dog and enjoy Zumba, yoga and Pilates classes when I get the chance.”

When it comes to personal style, vintage clothing is clearly at the forefront of her interests. She confessed her extensive collection by saying, “I don’t actually collect anything; My home has an eclectic mix of antiques, curios, memories and memorabilia, oh yes, and several overflowing closets of vintage and other clothing, including over 30 little black dresses.”

Bargain Hunt airs weekdays at 12.15pm on BBC One