Hawes mart to spend £5m

HAWES AUCTION Mart is to be transformed into a multi-million pound community and visitor centre after being given the go-ahead by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The Wensleydale mart, which had to close during the foot-and-mouth crisis, has won planning permission to build a £5m facility which will incorporate a cafe, a theatre for community groups, new sales and exhibition areas and sports facilities.

Market manager Maurice Hall said the company had decided to diversify to secure its future in the wake of F&M.

“We are delighted by this decision and feel our scheme will also greatly benefit the community.”