Phoenix Nights props go under the hammer
Phoenix Nights fans are being given the chance to own their own piece of the iconic sitcom.
Props from the Peter Kay comedy and its spin-off Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere are to be auctioned on 31st January.
Items under the hammer include two six-foot signs inviting drivers to "pull off into paradise". As wired by the Phoenix's resident DJ and electrician Ray Von, played by Neil Fitzmaurice, they were set off by a pressure pad on the road outside the club. Each is expected to sell for between £200 and £300.
Banners, beer signs and metal plaques are also among 27 props from the Channel 4 sitcom being sold by Warren and Wignall Ltd, with plaques bearing the "Tony Knowles Suite" and "Gavin 'The Captain' Gladstone Aged 79 RIP" expected to go for between £40 and £120.
The sale of mementoes from the show, which ran for two series between 2001 and 2002 and also starred Dave Spikey and Paddy McGuinness, echoes Kay's character Brian Potter mounting a fire sale after the Phoenix went up in flames.
The auction also features a set of original construction drawings and stage plans for the comedy, which could set bidders back around £60.
A beach-themed photo cut-out board from Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere is up for grabs as well and is expected to reach £200-£300.
Rob Sweeney, saleroom manager at Warren and Wignall Ltd, told the Bury Times that: "Any northerner should be a fan of Peter Kay.
"It's exciting when you get items like this, especially being a fan and when you also like the things you do. We have never had TV props in the three years since I've been there, apart from a sign. It's exciting to see what might happen at the auction."
The auction house previously sold a club sign prop from the sitcom for £3,000 in 2022. And Sweeney explained: "After selling the Phoenix Nights sign, the gentleman got in touch to see if we could sell these items.
"I saw two big signs and thought it was cool and then I went through the box and saw so many items. I am a fan, so it's really interesting to me. And my friends are massive fans as well, and I asked them about the items, and they got back within five minutes to say which episode some things were from."
Interested bidders can view the lots on the Warren and Wignall website and can also participate in the auction through the online platforms Easy Live Auction and the Sale Room.
31st January update
The auction has now taken place. The 27 lots attracted much interest, raising £21,000 in total. Sales included:
Group of Max & Paddy props including Bermuda night club cocktail menus: £3,300
Brian Potter office sign: £2,200
Turn right sign: £1,600
Turn left sign: £1,000
The Phoenix Club poster: £900
Jerry St Clair Licensee plaque: £720
Construction drawings: £400