My clothes are all cheap and old, much in the same way that I am. Everything that I’m wearing is second-hand, except my trousers. I bought these when I was feeling sad, and they were expensive. It was a few years ago, and they cost me about £100. At the time it felt like a legitimate purchase, and every time I put them on I think, ‘These are my special trousers.’ 

I’ve been coming to the Cattle Market since 2017 when I moved to Nottingham with my wife, who is from here. I guess you could say that I’m a relative stranger to the area. 

We originally started coming here because we couldn’t afford any furniture. Our entire house is furnished with £20 purchases from the auction house, so whenever we need something we head down here. You can’t really buy cheap furniture in London, so now when my friends from down south need something they always ask me. It’s turned me into this weird, niche antiques dealer. 

I feel like the internet auction has changed things quite a lot, and stuff tends to be more expensive now. I was just in the auction room when a guy from America paid £500 for a violin that would have otherwise gone for about £30. It’s good that they’ve got the business, obviously, but it’s definitely changed things. 

It’s easy to get sentimental about this sort of thing, but it’s such a rare example of a decidedly antiquated, but still extremely worthwhile, community experience. You only have to hang out here for the day to feel invigorated, even if you’re not buying anything. 

Interview and photo: Georgianna Scurfield