Colchester adds a sale day as Chelmsford market closes

By FWi staff

FOLLOWING the closure of Chelmsford livestock market on Friday (28 May), a weekly sale will now take place at Colchester Market as from Friday, 4 June.

The auction will be run by Stanfords of Colchester for prime cattle, store cattle, calves, pigs (under 21-day licence) and sheep.

The auction will be held to complement the existing Tuesday sale of prime cattle, sheep and pigs, which will continue as normal.

Directors at Chelmsford market described the closure as a “bitter disappointment.”

They blamed the BSE crisis and increased costs for the financial difficulties the market has faced.

Just 20 miles down the road, Colchester has seen numbers increased by 40% over the last two years. Stanfords looks forward to Friday sales enjoying the same success, said the companys Graham Ellis.

“Stanfords are confident that in the future all sections of their livestock auctions will provide a competitive selling place for farmers to maximise returns,” he added.

Payment for stock sold on Fridays will be by first class post on the Monday immediately after the sale.