Malton livestock market gets site lifeline (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton livestock market gets site lifeline

2:52pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in News By Karen Darley

SIGNIFICANT steps have been taken to secure the long-term future of Malton’s livestock market.

A site on the outskirts of Old Malton has been identified following discussions between the newly-formed Malton and Ryedale Farmers’ Livestock Company and the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation.

Haulier Patrick Foxton, a director of the livestock company, said although the current site has a 15- year lease, there were three five-year breaks – with the next due in April 2013.

Mr Foxton said: “Most livestock markets are owned by the auctioneers who have reinvested capital in a new site when this has become an issue in other towns in the country.

“However, this is not the case with Malton and there is no capital to fund a relocation. This is why we have been in negotiations with the Fitzwilliam Trust.

“They in turn have now opened a new door for the farming industry in Malton, Norton and Ryedale by offering us this site.”

The seven and a half acre site would become part of an agricultural park running alongside the A169 Malton to Pickering road, with businesses and educational facilities linked to the industry.

Mr Foxton said the site was strategically placed at the bypass with links going north, east and west as well as south into Malton.

“We have 16 months to relocate and it is vital we get moving or else customers will start to drift elsewhere and won’t come back,” he said.

“Once we have the site, we will sell shares which will enable us to put money in to help with its expansion.

It will be a company owned by farmers with seven directors who all have a local business and farming interests.”

Fellow director Winston Kobylka, owner of G Woodhall & Sons, in Malton, said this was a vital move as other towns which have lost their livestock markets had quickly gone into decline.

“Malton plays a vital role in Ryedale’s agricultural industry and this needs to be looked at as part of a strategic plan to raise the important profile of the town and Ryedale in general,” he said.

“Malton is one of the biggest markets in the country and livelihoods depend on it.”

Mark Nicholson, agent for the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, said they had looked at a number of development sites before offering this location to the Livestock Company.

He said: “Our trustees realise that the livestock market is a vital part of the area’s trading and that, coupled with an agricultural business park, will be of great benefit to Malton.

“This is, of course, subject to planning permission and we are aiming to have an application submitted by the end of the year.”

Mr Foxton said that after many months of uncertainly and hours of meetings and discussions, he was delighted a solution was in sight.

“Back in 2008 when we knew the market was in danger we were working from the position of not having a site or money to do anything,” he said.

“We have ended up with a freehold site, given to the new Livestock Company. It beggars belief and is beyond anything we could have hoped for.”

Mr Foxton said Malton and Ryedale Farmers’ Livestock Company would be holding an open meeting in the cattle ring on Friday at 12.30pm where directors would be available to answer questions and to which representatives from Ryedale District Council had also been invited.

“This is fantastic news for Malton and offers Ryedale the opportunity to raise the profile of the livestock market alongside helping to provide economic, social and community development,” he said.

Janet Waggott, chief executive of Ryedale District Council, said: “We are very pleased to have been invited to the Livestock Market committee meeting on Friday and a representative from Ryedale District Council will attend.

“Farming is a very important to the district of Ryedale. A sustainable livestock market for the future is of great interest.

“We look forward to learning more about the proposals which will be presented to the meeting.”