I am fully behind Ryedale District Council’s efforts to help find a permanent home for the Malton livestock auction market and recently attended a key meeting with all stakeholders to make sure we offered every possible support. The market has such an important historic, cultural and economic connection to Malton as well as being of such significance to the region’s farmers and other businesses in the supply chain.
The Council is considering backing a new home for the livestock market on the outskirts of Malton on the Eden Camp business park, by investing £3.2m in the venture. Clearly, this also has to offer a fair deal and value for money for local taxpayers, after all it is their money. The preferred proposal requires the development of a clear business case, so that everyone can make sure this money is being spent wisely and in everyone’s best interests. The Council will own the building and land, whilst leasing the facilities to ensure a return on the investment.
Without this intervention, there is a risk that the market, one of the biggest in the North, will disappear which would be a massive blow for farmers and the wider local economy. It has been in its present town centre site for 80 years but is being moved because the landowner, Fitzwilliam Estate has plans to develop the site.