North of England auction mart fit for the future

Cutting out hazards was the starting point for the work at Craven Cattle Mart’s (CCM) auction site at Skipton. But allowing customers to ‘flow’ around the extensive site and improving aesthetics for livestock sales were also crucial factors in this major project, called a ‘substantial investment’ by CCM.

With all this in mind, CCM has redesigned the main ring, turned an underused area into a new meeting hub and created a new overhead walkway which runs for most of the length of the site, linking the front ring area to the bottom docks, with access en route to sales rings and the store cattle race.

Once customers have dropped off their livestock, they can head onto the walkway. From there they can see where their animals are penned and take any necessary paperwork to the race area, before going to the rings, the mart office or other facilities in the building, without any need to enter the penning area, unless they wish to.

To further improve the flow of customers around the various parts of the site, CCM has opened up a previously underused area near the front ring area to create The Gather, a hub where people can meet, sit down and socialise in comfort. It can also be used for trade stands and to display sponsor material, and there is a small refreshment bar close by to supplement the existing, larger mart café.

Improvements to the main ring include repositioning the rostrum from the centre to one side, meaning vendors can approach the rostrum without needing to be in the ring at all.

An aerial view of CCM's Skipton Auction Mart which has just undergone a substantial investment

Jeremy Eaton, general manager for CCM, said he and livestock sales manager, Ted Ogden, had identified a safety issue when cattle were being sold and vendors were in the ring with their animals. “We think the new position for the rostrum is an ideal location because a person can walk around the outside of the ring and speak to the clerk and they are entirely safe; only our staff are in the ring. The new design also made better use of a double alley leading to the ring.”

But the changes went further than that. When set up for selling sheep, the barriers at the side of the ring were at the right height to enable people to view animals of that size. However, the barriers are all demountable and for cattle sales higher ones can be brought in, ensuring safety and still providing a good view.

Also, the rostrum was on wheels and could be pushed back, thus creating the necessary space for events such as theatrical performances.

The overhead walkway runs for about 120m from the front rings area to the bottom docks, with drop-down access points along the way. Safety was again a crucial factor here, as the walkway allows customers move around the mart without having to go into the penning areas at all, though they can do so if they wish.

Mr Eaton said that in Ireland there were moves to exclude the public altogether from the penning areas of marts. By creating the walkway, CCM would be prepared if something similar happened here. One of the access points from the walkway leads to the Lingfield Ring, which specialises in sheep sales and was inspired by marts to the north of Skipton.

The Gather is intended as an informal meeting area for farmers attending Skipton mart

Mr Ogden said he had previously worked in some of these marts and this experience was behind the use of natural light within the ring and of wood in its construction to improve acoustics. He said this ring, which was opened a few years ago in a previous new development for CCM, was designed so everyone inside it had a ‘ringside view’ of the stock, while Mr Eaton praised the design for being ‘aesthetically pleasing’.

He said creating the walkway and the space of The Gather helped to ensure the flow of people around the site and the many different facilities and services it had to offer, and the changes were part of ensuring the mart was fit for the future.

“I think we have improved safety,” said Mr Eaton. “We have modernised the facilities to the point where a customer can come to the mart and they don’t need to walk into the penning area and get tangled up with the process of the sale.

“It’s for busy farmers, with less staff at home and less time to spend at the market, but it’s also enhanced the social experience in The Gather, where people can feel comfortable and where there is also space for sections of the industry that sponsor sales.”

A major reduction of the Upsall Beef Shorthorn herd will be one of the first big pedigree sales in the re-designed mart

The first major Beef Shorthorn sale to be held using these new facilities is a particularly notable one – a major reduction sale for the renowned Upsall herd, to be held at Skipton on Saturday, August 7. This herd from near Thirsk comes with a 55-strong headcount, comprising 19 maiden heifers free from the bull from last year’s crop of calves, a trio of two-year-olds run with the bull, 16 cows with calves at foot outfits and a single 15-month-old bull.

It is Britain’s oldest Beef Shorthorn herd, established more than 110 years ago and for more than six decades it has been in the hands of fourth-generation family member, Gerald Turton and is managed on the 2000-acre estate at Upsall Castle Farms by long-time Scottish stockman, George McCulloch and his wife Maureen.

Mr Eaton said: “The Upsall decision to reduce numbers represents an opportunity for established breeders and newcomers to the breed to secure some of the finest bloodlines available.”

To enable access for buyers who cannot attend the sale a remote online bidding and viewing facility will also be available, though potential purchasers are asked to contact the mart office well before sale day to set up an account. In addition, pre-sale viewing on the farm can be arranged by calling 01845 537259. The sale is due to start at 12 noon.