Cattle prices force Lichfield market closure

By FWi staff

FALLING cattle values and the potential to cash in on the demand for industrial development sites will see the closure of a modern Staffordshire livestock market next week.

Bagshaws auctioneers will close Lichfield market purpose-built in the late 1980s which occupies a prime 12ha (30 acre) site on the expanding Fradley Park industrial estate.

Commercial land agents suggest the auction could be worth good money, lying off the A38 trunk road near Burton upon Trent.

Throughput at the market is currently 1000 sheep, 50 fat cattle and 75 pigs each Monday.

Its not the numbers particularly, although this is a difficult area for stock, but the fall in cattle values, says Greg Gagie of Bagshaws.

Trade will be moved to the companys Uttoxeter venue 15 miles to the north, to boost numbers for the existing early weekday primestock sale.

Machinery sales will also be relocated with plans to use a nearby site at Barton under Needwood.

Professional services and fine art auctions run under the Wintertons badge will continue at Lichfield.

The cattle penning will be removed and stored at Uttoxeter ahead of a possible redevelopment of the existing town-centre site with local council plans.

Capital from the sale of letting of the two current sites could fund a new market nearer the A50 trunk road linking the M1 and M6 and may be considered by the company.

Bagshaws other sites include the new market at Bakewell, a partnership at Derby and several town markets across Derbyshire.