Equivalent of the payment reported for a 70-person engineering firm.
Telegraph Lab’s account ↗
Your records show how work actually gets done.
Connected records explain what was proposed, why it changed and what happened next.
Reported activity in the wider market
Equivalent of the payout reported for a logistics and distribution business.
Red Deer Data case study ↗Third-party examples reported by the named providers, not independently verified or McKays transactions. Not a valuation of your archive. Approximate GBP equivalents, assuming the US providers’ reported dollar amounts are USD; rate checked 20 October 2026. Sources and conversion.
A short starting point
Tell us the shape of the archive.
Descriptions only. Do not enter personal, patient, client or employee records. Holding files does not establish the right to sell or license them.
How it works
From a first description
to an agreed next step.
Not every archive will suit a buyer. These are the stages to discuss, rather than a promise of an offer.
You bring the context
Describe what you hold.
- Explain the business, the work recorded, the dates and the format.
- Tell us who can authorise access and flag confidentiality, ownership or retention restrictions.
- Choose whether to proceed after the proposed terms and responsibilities are clear.
McKays explores the route
Turn that context into a useful discussion.
- Review the outline and identify connections, potential uses and questions to resolve.
- Explore a direct purchase or an arranged sale or licence, where there is a fit.
- Set out scope, price or fees, recipients, permitted uses and preparation responsibilities before access or transfer.
Not sure whether to enquire?
Trading, selling, closing or already closed: describe your situation. Paper, digital or mixed: explain what remains accessible. Small or large archive: approximate quantities are enough to start. Owner, appointed professional or authorised adviser: tell us your connection to the records.
These are starting points for a conversation. Suitability is considered individually.
Start with a description, not archive files or system access. Any extraction, digitisation, redaction or specialist review is a separately agreed step, not an automatic service.
Understand the options
A purchase, a licence,
or an introduction?
Direct purchase
McKays may buy an agreed archive. What changes hands, and which rights are included, must be specified.
Arranged sale or licence
McKays may help explore a transaction with another party. The recipient, responsibilities and any fee are agreed before you commit.
Licence
Permission to use specified material for agreed purposes. It need not mean giving up the originals, but ownership, exclusivity, duration and onward use depend on the agreement.
A first discussion does not commit you to any of these routes.
Five things to establish before sharing records
- Who owns the rights, and who can approve the proposed use?
- Which records, recipients and uses are included?
- Which people, projects or confidential material must be excluded?
- Who handles preparation and any specialist review?
- What are the price, fees and payment conditions?
Descriptions first. No passwords, archive uploads or confidential records in the enquiry form.
See the connections
What a useful record contains
Illustrative example. All people, projects and figures are invented.
Example record
3 The site test report records a condition outside the selected product’s stated limits. We propose additional preparation before work starts. The additional quotation is £1,200. 4 Written instruction is still outstanding.
Review annotations
- Identity details need review. The names and email addresses identify people. Assess whether they need to be excluded or protected.
- References connect the evidence. DEMO-014 could link the email to its test report, quotation and later instruction. A reference may itself identify a project and requires review.
- Work context carries the lesson. The observed condition, proposed preparation and £1,200 quoted change show the reasoning and commercial consequence.
- An outcome is still missing. This email does not establish approval, completion or payment. Look for the later instruction and outcome rather than assuming them.
Example record view selected.
The useful information is the connection between the observation, proposed action and later outcome. A detailed review would establish what could be used, which details need protection and what evidence is missing.
Discuss your records →A useful starting point
See what a buyer will ask about your archive
Describe the work covered, its age and the kinds of records you have. The outline carries your answers into an editable enquiry.
Approximate answers are fine. Leave a slider at “Not specified” if you do not know.
Your starting point
Choose the details you know. Approximate answers are fine.
Review your outline before sending an enquiry.
Led by Richard McKay
Construction judgement.
E-commerce experience.
With an honours degree in Quantity Surveying and over 30 years in the flooring and sports industry, Richard understands that the useful knowledge is often between the documents.
His construction background helps connect project decisions, costs and outcomes, rather than simply counting files.
Running Sprung Gym Flooring online adds hands-on e-commerce experience, from product information and quotations to delivery and customer support. That does not imply customer data is available for sale.
Richard’s construction background · His business and digital experience
Explore construction & building →
Practical questions
Straight answers.
What does the first look cost?
The first look is free, with no upfront charge. Any fee for an arranged sale or licence is agreed before you commit.
When will I hear back?
We’ll review your description and reply within one week with any questions and a suggested next step. Tell us about a clearance or transaction deadline.
Can I start with paper files or a small archive?
Yes. Describe what you have and how the records connect. You do not need a complete inventory or a digital export to begin.
What should I check before sharing files?
Know who owns the records, who can authorise access and what the recipient intends to do with them. Ask about confidentiality, onward sharing, exclusivity and any charges. Do not provide passwords or system logins.
Would I keep my original records?
A licence can cover an agreed copy while you retain the originals. A purchase may involve different terms. We would explain what is being transferred and which rights you retain before you agree.
Who could use the records, and for what?
Potential uses include AI research, training and evaluation. Any proposed recipient and permitted uses would need to be established as part of the arrangement.
Could I exclude particular clients, projects or documents?
Tell us which material you want excluded. A review can be scoped around an agreed selection, although exclusions may affect whether an opportunity is suitable.
How are confidential details handled?
Start with a general description, without client names or underlying files. Before a detailed review, the relevant rights, confidentiality and personal information need to be assessed. Removing names alone does not settle those questions.
How much work would my team need to do?
A short description is enough for the first conversation. If a detailed review is worth exploring, we would agree what information, staff time and preparation are needed before proceeding.
When would I be paid?
There is no standard payment date at the enquiry stage. Any proposal should state who pays, the amount or calculation, what must happen before payment, and when payment is due. Do not assume that sending files automatically triggers payment.
Does a licence last forever?
Its duration depends on the terms. Check whether rights end on a stated date, continue indefinitely, or can be terminated, and what happens to copies or uses already made. Those points should be understood before agreement.
What if the records are not a fit?
An enquiry is not an offer or an agreement to buy. McKays may decline an archive where it is unsuitable or the rights are unclear. Start with a short description rather than paying for preparation before a route is agreed.
How does McKays get paid?
McKays can buy selected records directly or arrange a sale or licence for an agreed fee. For an arranged transaction, the amount or calculation, who pays and when payment is due are agreed before you commit. The first look is free.
Talk to Richard
Tell us what
you hold.
Free first look. Reply within one week. A general description is enough.
Tell us the business, approximate dates and kinds of records. You do not need a complete inventory.
Any fee for an arranged sale or licence, including who pays and when, is agreed before you commit.
info@mckays.co.ukNeed help describing your archive?Enquiry received.
Your enquiry has been received. McKays will reply within one week.
Across the economy
Business knowledge, connected
240 business types across ten sectors, plus specialist research areas. Find the records relevant to your work.
Explore 10 broad sectors34 business types
Construction & building
Explore all 34 business typesGeneral building contractorsResidential renovation companiesEarthworks contractorsDemolition contractorsPiling and foundation contractorsStructural steel erectorsMasonry contractorsRoofing contractorsGlazing and curtain-wall contractorsHistoric building restoration firmsHardwood and parquet flooring specialistsCarpet installation companiesResilient flooring installersTile and stone flooring contractorsPolished concrete flooring specialistsEpoxy and resin flooring contractorsDrywall and suspended-ceiling contractorsPainting and coating contractorsWaterproofing contractorsPassive fire-protection contractorsHVAC service companiesPlumbing contractorsElectrical contractorsElevator maintenance companiesFire alarm and sprinkler contractorsSecurity-system integratorsBuilding automation integratorsSolar installation companiesBattery backup and UPS service companiesCommercial kitchen equipment service firmsScaffolding contractorsLandscape design and build firmsSwimming-pool maintenance companiesLocksmith businesses
33 business types
Manufacturing & engineering
Explore all 33 business typesCNC machine shopsMetal foundriesMetal-forging companiesSheet-metal fabricatorsWelding fabrication shopsInjection-moulding manufacturersPlastics extrusion plantsRubber-compounding manufacturersIndustrial ceramics manufacturersGlass manufacturersSemiconductor fabrication companiesElectronics assembly manufacturersBattery manufacturersElectric motor manufacturersMedical-device manufacturersTextile millsGarment manufacturersFurniture manufacturersPaper and packaging manufacturersAdhesive manufacturersIndustrial maintenance contractorsNondestructive testing companiesCalibration laboratoriesFailure-analysis laboratoriesIndustrial automation integratorsTool-and-die makersAdditive manufacturing bureausEquipment rental companiesPump and compressor repair shopsCommercial printing companiesWind-turbine maintenance companiesOilfield service companiesOptical instrument manufacturersMaterials scienceMechanical engineering
32 business types
Transport & logistics
Explore all 32 business typesTrucking companiesRail freight operatorsAirlinesShipping linesBus and coach operatorsTaxi and ride-hailing fleet operatorsAmbulance service operatorsTowing and vehicle-recovery companiesDrone inspection companiesCourier companiesWarehousing and fulfilment companiesCold-storage operatorsFreight forwardersCustoms brokeragesPort terminal operatorsAirport ground-handling companiesSelf-storage operatorsMoving companiesDocument storage and destruction companiesReverse-logistics and refurbishment companiesAutomotive repair garagesCollision repair shopsTire-service businessesVehicle dismantlersAircraft maintenance organisationsFlight schoolsShipyards and boat repair businessesMarinasRolling-stock maintenance companiesRecreational vehicle service centresCommercial diving and underwater survey firmsShip classification societies
20 business types
Retail, property & hospitality
Explore all 20 business typesGrocery retailersCommunity pharmaciesAutomotive parts distributorsBuilders' merchantsIndustrial fastener distributorsApparel retailersUsed and rare-book dealersAuction housesHeavy-equipment dealershipsOnline marketplace operatorsProperty management companiesReal estate brokeragesHome inspection companiesHotelsRestaurantsCatering companiesCommercial cleaning companiesLaundry and dry-cleaning businessesGyms and fitness studiosFuneral homes
29 business types
Agriculture, food & environment
Explore all 29 business typesCrop farmsCommercial greenhouse growersVineyards and wineriesDairy farmsAquaculture farmsCommercial fishing operatorsSeed-breeding companiesGrain millsFood-processing companiesCommercial bakeriesCraft breweriesDistilleriesCoffee roastersCheesemakersPoultry farms and hatcheriesMeat processors and abattoirsWater-treatment operatorsWastewater-treatment operatorsWaste collection companiesRecycling and materials-recovery facilitiesHazardous-waste treatment companiesEnvironmental consultanciesGeotechnical consultanciesLand-surveying firmsArborist companiesPest-control companiesQuarry and aggregate operatorsMining operatorsSports-ground and turf-management companiesGeosciencesOcean sciencesEnvironmental sciencesEcology
30 business types
Health & animal services
Explore all 30 business typesGeneral veterinary practicesVeterinary referral hospitalsEquine veterinary practicesFarm-animal veterinary practicesVeterinary diagnostic laboratoriesAnimal shelters and rescue organisationsDog-training businessesPet-grooming businessesBoarding kennels and pet day-care operatorsFarriersPrimary-care practicesDermatology practicesDiagnostic imaging centresDental practicesOptometry practicesPhysiotherapy practicesMental-health practicesSpeech and language therapy practicesAudiology clinicsMedical diagnostic laboratoriesHome-health providersNursing-home operatorsHospice providersProsthetics and orthotics practicesSleep clinicsClinical research organisationsPharmaceutical contract manufacturersGenomic sequencing service companiesCell-culture and laboratory reagent suppliersDrug-discovery biotechnology companiesDoctor–patient audio, transcripts & clinical notesMedicine & clinical research
20 business types
Professional & financial services
Explore all 20 business typesBanksPayment processorsInsurance carriersInsurance loss-adjusting firmsInsurance brokeragesMortgage brokeragesCredit-reporting agenciesAccounting and tax practicesPayroll service companiesInvestment management firmsLaw firmsCourt-reporting businessesPatent-search firmsTranslation agenciesMarket-research companiesManagement consultanciesArchitecture practicesEngineering design consultanciesIndustrial design studiosProduct testing and certification companies
10 business types
Technology & telecoms
Explore all 10 business types11 business types
Media & creative
Explore all 11 business typesAV systems integratorsAV equipment rental companiesLive-event production companiesRecording studiosFilm and television production companiesPost-production and visual-effects studiosDubbing and localisation studiosRadio and television broadcastersNews organisationsPhotography agenciesMusical-instrument repair workshops
21 business types
Education, research & culture
Explore all 21 business typesRecruitment agenciesCorporate training providersOutsourced contact-centre operatorsPrivate schoolsVocational training providersDriving schoolsTutoring businessesChildcare providersSports coaching academiesExamination and assessment providersPublic archivesMuseumsPublic librariesUniversity research departmentsGovernment metrology laboratoriesMunicipal planning and building-control departmentsPublic road and traffic agenciesEmergency management agenciesZoos and aquarium conservation organisationsArchaeological field unitsArt conservation studiosAstronomyFormal mathematicsStatistics
Published examples: Telegraph Lab reports 450,000 dollars paid to an anonymous 70-person engineering firm; its page and transaction are undated. Red Deer Data’s case study reports a 350,000 dollars payout for an anonymous logistics and distribution business; published 22 September 2026, updated 25 September 2026, with no payment date stated. Checked 20 October 2026. Pound figures are rounded equivalents, not amounts received in pounds. Assuming the US providers’ reported dollar amounts are USD, the USD/GBP rate checked on 20 October 2026 was 0.7478: 450,000 × 0.7478 = £336,510, rounded to £337k; 350,000 × 0.7478 = £261,730, rounded to £262k. These providers are not presented as McKays partners.