Disappointment as auction mart plans turned down

Newport market auctioneers say they are deeply disappointed after being refused planning permission to create a new market on a nearby site five miles away.

The refusal came as the final day’s trading took place in the 164 year old venue and overturned a vote to approve the application, taken just minutes before but overruled due to a mix up over the voting procedure.

Farmers and traders were as upset as the market staff, some of whom were in tears, as the news filtered through.

Mike Davies of market partners Newland Rennie Wilkins, said he was ‘completely gutted’ but was looking at all the options and hadn’t ruled out holding a market next week.

“We are determined to fight on for the market, for the farmers of South Wales, for our eighteen employees and for the buyers who come from as far afield as the Midlands,” he added.

“We had a tremendous market here today with 2,000 sheep and plenty of cattle and now everyone wants to know what we will be doing next.”

One regular said he was astonished that a profitable business turning over an estimated £400,000 on its last day of trading could be allowed to close in such a manner.