Redfern hospitality businesses and food entrepreneurs may benefit from a major commercial equipment clearance after more than 1,000 catering items were uncovered in an underground Sydney basement.
Lloyds Auctions says the discovery spans two basement storage levels filled with commercial kitchen equipment valued at more than $1 million.
The stockpile includes refrigeration units, ovens, stainless steel benchtops, display cabinets and other catering assets that had reportedly been left largely untouched until now.
Because the basement owner requires the space cleared immediately, every item will go to auction without reserve, with bidding to start from $1.
“This is a sea of stainless steel as far as the eye can see, across two basement levels,” Lloyds Auctions Chief Operations Officer Lee Hames said.
“I have never seen anything of this scale in this industry. The volume of equipment uncovered in this basement is extraordinary.”
Lloyds Auctions said the sale presents a rare opportunity for restaurateurs, caterers, hospitality operators and resellers to acquire commercial-grade equipment at discounted prices.
“The opportunity for business owners in this industry to get ahead is very real as every single item will be going under the hammer with no reserve and starting at $1, meaning everything will be sold,” Mr Hames said.
The online auctions are scheduled to close on Tuesday 19 May and Wednesday 20 May from 10:00 a.m., with bidding already underway through Lloyds Auctions.
Lloyds Auctions has operated in Australia for more than 20 years and conducts auctions across vehicles, machinery, jewellery, antiques and commercial assets.
Published 18-May-2026
