CONCERNS were raised by Holsworthy town councillors over the impact a proposed monthly farmers’ market at Kivells Livestock Market on the outskirts of the town would have on the weekly pannier market at its centre.

Cllr John Allen, at the March 7 meeting of Holsworthy?Town Council, was not keen on the idea and said: “It will detract I think from our weekly market. I’d rather have it in our square.”

The mayor, Cllr Jon Hutchings, agreed with Cllr Allen that he felt there would be more benefit to having such a market in the town rather than on its outskirts.

He said: “Our market brings people into the town, to support local business, but the more and more you put out there [Kivells Livestock Market] the more people won’t bother to come into the town.”

In response to concerns, James Morrish, auctioneer for Kivells, told the Post: “Kivells have been part of the rural community for over 130 years. The company has seen Holsworthy as its natural home. We not only have offices at the agri centre but also have our estate agency in the heart of the town.

“Since moving to the new site on the edge of Holsworthy, business has grown in all sections of our auctions department. Cattle numbers, both beef and dairy, have grown well over the last few years as have sheep and calf entries week on week. Our monthly furniture and antique sales have become so popular that we have had to introduce extra sales to keep up with demand thus now are having fortnightly sales with buyers travelling big distances to be there in person with many others bidding online from all over the world.

“Our monthly machinery, pig and poultry sales are now so busy regular crowds of over 500 registered buyers are in attendance with some choosing to travel to Holsworthy on Friday and stay the night at B&B and hotels in the local area bringing extra income to the community.

“To build on this success we feel that there is an opportunity for some of our local producers to establish a farmers’ produce market in the market square at the agri centre on the first Saturday of each month alongside the machinery sale. Of course we want to work with the town council hence our communication with them [recently]. We do not want to have any negative effect on the Wednesday pannier market and indeed wish it good success. We already work in partnership with many Holsworthy businesses and are looking forward to this continuing in the future.”