Farmers relieved as Louth Cattle Market saved from closure

The last remaining cattle market in Lincolnshire looks likely to be saved from closure after a council recommended the site should be refurbished.

East Lindsey District Council’s executive board held a meeting to decide whether Louth Cattle Market should be refurbished, closed or have its site sold.

A public consultation found that 84% of 4,078 locals polled want the council to refurbish the site at a cost of £700,000 and withdraw any plans for its sale.

See also: Future of Louth Cattle Market under threat

Board members told the meeting at Louth Town Hall on Wednesday evening (27 September) that they agreed to recommend that the council withdraws from the sale of the livestock market site and develops a refurbishment scheme.

East Lindsey councillor Adam Grist said: “In recent weeks I’ve had the opportunity to discuss the future of the Livestock Market with many farmers and residents and am of the view that the recommendation being put to council is positive for the economy of Louth and the wider farming community. 

“If council agrees this as the way forward, there remains the challenge about how the site can be used on more days of the week for the benefit of Louth – a livestock market held one morning each week is clearly not sustainable going forward and there is the need to find a way of ensuring the site is put to good use more often.”

Russell Jeanes, a partner at Louth Market Auctioneers, which runs the market, thanked the public for showing overwhelming support. This demonstrated to the council “the important role that the livestock market plays in the rural community and the agricultural industry”.

A full council meeting to decide the future of Louth Cattle Market will be held on 11 October.