Longtown and Dumfries auction marts out of administration

Stock sales at Longtown in Cumbria and Dumfries in Scotland can continue after an auctioneering firm was sold out of administration.

Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Marts PLC has been bought by a new company, C&D Auction Marts Ltd, and auctioneers Thomson, Roddick & Laurie Ltd.

Anyone who has recently sold stock at the markets will be paid in full.

See also: Farmers Weekly stock and sales blog

All 70 full- and part-time staff in the business will also keep their jobs in the deal.

Thomson, Roddick & Laurie director John Thomson said the C&D business provided vital auctioneering and land agency services to the farming community.

“We will be busy from day one continuing and further developing the busy sales programme with the help of the existing staff team and we will, of course, be working hard to ensure that we continue to enjoy the support of the rural community,” Mr Thomson said.

C&D-run Longtown mart claims to be the biggest sheep market in Europe.

Store and breeding sheep are sold on Tuesdays, with fortnightly sales of cattle.

Primestock are sold at the Thursday sale each week. Last week more than 4,000 fat lambs went under the hammer.

Auctioneers Thomson, Roddick & Laurie have roots back to 1880 and have other business in the Scottish borders.

Russell Cash, joint administrator and partner at FRP advisory, said the deal was a great result for the borders farming community.

“The new owners have been hugely supportive and we wish them every success with their plans to develop the business,” he said.