Hammer may fall on marts
13 March 2000
Hammer may fall on marts
THE hammer could fall on two historic markets as local councils move to accept more lucrative offers from developers.
More than 50 angry farmers drove a tractor to the steps of Guildford Borough Council offices in protest at plans to sell the leasehold.
Although unable to prevent the sale, the group were promised discussions to see if the mart could be opened elsewhere.
And in Gloucester, council chiefs are calling for the departure of the local livestock market because it is holding up the £40m development of the Cattle Market site.
Plans to move the livestock market are said to have come to nothing, despite eight months of negotiations with auctioneers who lease the site.
Guilford leaseholder South East Marts ended a year of uncertainty a fortnight ago when it announced that it intended to close the site after four years of losses amounting to £500,000.
The company had also faced a massive rent hike from £16,000 to at least £100,000 for the 3ha (8-acre) site.
Farmers who face an additional 70-100 mile journey with their animals to alternative locations if the 723-year-old market closes, claimed SEM gave little warning.
Support group chairman Reg Haydon — who farms near Arundel, West Sussex, and is national secretary of the Tenant Farmers Association — led an eleventh hour bid to dissuade the council from selling.
But despite last weeks colourful protests, the borough council voted by an overwhelming majority to accept a development companys undisclosed offer for a 150-year lease.
The developers have already purchased an option from SEM on its remaining 75-year lease.
The council did agree to allow six months within which talks could consider a possible relocation. “At least thats something,” said Mr Haydon.
But he is concerned SEM may close the market before then. “If they have any decency they will hold open the market until those talks are complete.”
Meanwhile a cabinet meeting of Gloucester City Council has recommended the removal of the cattle market.
A notice to Gloucester Market Auctioneers to quit by the end of March was issued a year ago.
GMA is said shocked by the council decision, local newspaper The Citizen reports.
The auctioneers could appeal against this, which could take several months. The earliest the council could move onto the site would be July.
The council says it is willing to discuss the possibility of holding a market with other parties, but has ruled out making any of the Cattle Market site available.
A location there previously set aside for the livestock auction would possibly be used for housing.
The recommendation to remove the market will be considered by full council on Thursday (16 March).