East Sussex County Council and its partners have agreed to look at the possibility of moving the Hailsham livestock market to another site within the parish, but will keep the smallholders market in the town centre. This would ensure that local businesses continue to benefit from the extra visitors that the market brings to Hailsham. This move follows the findings of a study by the Meat and Livestock Commission, which found there was a continued need for the livestock market.
The partnership, which includes representatives from a wide range of organisations including local authorities, the Hailsham Cattle Market Action Group, the National Farmers Union, Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, has also agreed to increase the involvement of local farmers and residents in discussions about the market’s long term future.
Councillor Bob Tidy, lead member for community services at the County Council and chairman of the cattle market working group, said: “The future of this historic market now looks a lot brighter. I am extremely pleased that we have agreed to look at the options for continuing a livestock market in Hailsham and I would like to thank all the partners involved for their help and co-operation. We will all continue to work hard to ensure the market continues to trade for many, many years to come.”
The County Council will now write to all the users of the market (see attached) about the latest developments and the next steps. Work is now underway to identify an alternative site within Hailsham and the partners will also be exploring all funding options.
Ben Ellis, representing Aldi Stores Ltd, said: “We are delighted by this outcome and are committed to doing everything we can to assist the local community in creating a state-of–the-art market. Aldi Stores Ltd has already agreed to provide a significant sum towards the cost of purchasing and setting up a market site and to gift the ‘Hailsham Cattle Market Company’ to the local farming community to ensure the long term future of this market is in the hands of those who rely on it. We have also had strong indications from a number of other agencies that they could be willing to make a financial contribution to this project.”
David White of the Hailsham Market Action Group, said: “The most important thing is to secure the long term future of the Hailsham livestock market, so it’s important we pursue every option open to us. I am pleased that we now have a firm commitment that the market will continue to run on its current site, and have agreed to involve local farmers more in the process as their input is absolutely vital.”
The partnership also intends to visit the Bakewell Market in the Derbyshire Dales to see how they have managed to successfully transfer their market from the town centre to a new site.
For further details contact Joanna Hill on 01273 481816 or by email at joanna.hill@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Reference:
05/ 295 /MF
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