SECONDHAND WEBSITES LTD

What SECONDHAND WEBSITES LTD does

Secondhand Websites Ltd is a UK private limited company headquartered in York (also trading as 'Curlew') that operates a network of 23 sector-specific classified advertising websites for buying and selling used and new commercial equipment. The platform covers niche verticals including catering equipment, marquees, trailers, generators, pub equipment, hotel and office furniture, sound and lighting, portable buildings, wedding and glamping equipment, and similar B2B equipment categories. Its core technology is a web-based classified advertising system with manually approved listings (24-hour turnaround) that operate until items are sold for second-hand goods or for one month for new goods. The company is bootstrapped, founder-owned and operated by Ben Dawson, with no institutional funding, no mobile application, and no public API.

Name

SECONDHAND WEBSITES LTD

Legal name

Secondhand Websites Ltd

Website

https://secondhandwebsites.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Secondhand Websites Ltd is a UK-based, founder-owned classified advertising network operating 23 niche websites where SMBs and individuals list and sell second-hand and new commercial equipment across categories such as catering, marquees, trailers, and pub equipment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Classified Advertising Marketplace

NAICS

Used Merchandise Retailers (459510)

akta.pro primary industry

C2C Resale, Auctions & Secondhand Marketplaces (BPAMAGAE)

Keywords

• Classified advertising platform
• Used equipment marketplace
• Niche vertical websites
• Second-hand listings
• Commercial equipment resale

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Poppleton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Classified Advertising Listings: Fee-based classified advertising service where sellers pay to list equipment for sale. Pricing is tiered based on the asking price of items. Adverts for second-hand goods run until sold, while new items are displayed for one month. The advertising fee technically covers one week of listing time.
2. Banner Advertising: Display advertising sold to businesses wanting to reach website users. Banners can link to external websites or to informational pages created for advertisers. Pricing varies by partner website and banner size, ranging from £20-1400 per month depending on placement and site.
3. Re-listing Fees: Optional paid service to refresh adverts back to the top of listings without reducing price. Fee of £5 + VAT per advert, with a maximum of 2 re-lists per advert.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Secondhand Websites Ltd operates a web-based classified advertising marketplace where sellers list second-hand commercial equipment across a network of more than 20 niche vertical websites covering catering, marquees, trailers, vehicles, furniture, hospitality, events, and similar categories. Sellers pay tiered listing fees based on item value, adverts are manually approved within 24 hours and remain live until sold, and buyers contact sellers directly using the details provided in each listing.

Product overview

Secondhand Websites Ltd operates a classified advertising platform (secondhandwebsites.co.uk) that serves as the primary hub for selling used equipment. The company also operates a network of 22 sector-specific subdomain websites covering niche verticals including catering equipment, furniture, vehicles, event equipment, and specialized industrial equipment. The platform provides listing management services and optional banner advertising across its network. Sellers pay listing fees based on item value, with discounts available for multiple listings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondhand Websites Classified Advertising Platform Web-based classified advertising platform where UK sellers (primarily SMBs) pay tiered fees to list second-hand commercial equipment across a network of 22 niche vertical websites; adverts are manually approved within 24 hours, run until sold, and buyers contact sellers directly.
• Banner Advertising Paid banner advertising placements across the niche partner websites, available in multiple sizes (120x120 through 120x600, plus top-of-site and 5th-down positions) at tiered monthly rates per site; optional design services offered for advertisers.
• Listing Management Services Hands-on service in which Secondhand Websites staff handle advert creation, editing, manual approval, and upload on behalf of sellers who submit via online form, email, or post, supporting sellers who do not want to manage their own listings.

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AnyVanminorOthersDelivery comparison site recommended on the Delivery page. AnyVan can be contacted at 020 3005 6000 for quotes. Part of a network of delivery partners to help facilitate physical item collection and delivery between buyers and sellers on the platform.
• ShiplyminorOthersTransport matching service recommended on the Delivery page. Shiply matches users with transport providers 'going there anyway' to potentially save up to 75% on deliveries. Contact: 020 3137 2454. Facilitates delivery of large equipment purchased through the platform.
• InterparcelminorOthersParcel delivery service recommended on the Delivery page. Contact: 08719 112 113. Provides parcel shipping options for smaller items purchased through the platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Auto Trader UK: UK's leading vertical classifieds platform for new and used vehicles, operating on a pay-to-list model. Directly comparable in business model (paid listings, niche vertical focus, banner advertising) though in a different product category.
• Reverb: Vertical online marketplace for new, used, and vintage musical instruments and sound/lighting equipment. Directly overlaps with Secondhand Websites' Sound and Lighting Equipment vertical and demonstrates the vertical-niche resale model at scale.
• Gumtree: UK-dominant C2C classifieds platform covering second-hand goods across many categories including furniture, equipment, and vehicles. Directly competes with Secondhand Websites on the same UK SMB and individual seller audience but with a free listing model.
• Preloved: UK-based classified advertising site for second-hand items across categories including furniture, home goods, and equipment. Operates a similar pay-to-list model targeting UK SMBs and individuals in the resale space.
• Freeads: UK-based free classifieds website covering second-hand goods including furniture, equipment, and vehicles. Directly competes with Secondhand Websites on UK SMB sellers with a no-listing-fee model.
• Machinery Trader: Classifieds marketplace for used commercial and industrial equipment including construction, generators, and plant tools. Closely comparable to Secondhand Websites' plant tools, generators, and portable buildings verticals.

Regional players

• Craigslist: The archetypal online classifieds platform operating across hundreds of US cities and a few international markets. Comparable business model (paid job/listing slots, niche verticals, manual-feel UI) but does not directly compete in the UK market.

Emerging players

• Vinted: European C2C resale marketplace focused on fashion and lifestyle, with strong UK presence. Comparable in vertical-specialist resale model but operates in a different product category with consumer rather than commercial equipment focus.

Broad incumbents

• Facebook Marketplace: Meta's free C2C marketplace integrated into Facebook's social graph. Major competitive pressure on paid classified platforms due to zero listing fees and massive built-in audience of buyers and sellers in the UK.
• eBay UK: Global C2C/B2C marketplace with very strong UK presence for second-hand equipment, catering gear, and commercial items. Competes for the same sellers but as a broad generalist with auction/buy-it-now formats and built-in payments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/secondhand-websites

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SECONDHAND WEBSITES LTD