Published at 15:06, Friday, 20 July 2012

Development of a new multi-million pound auction mart in Wigton has begun.

Directors Bruce Walton, left and Jonathan Hope on the new site

The mart will have an area for cattle sales and offices, as well as a cafe and restaurant.

Steelwork has already begun on the new Hopes auctioneers premises – said to be costing just under £4 million – on Syke Road.

A business statement submitted to Allerdale council says that the new auction mart could create seven jobs when it opens.

It will replace the existing buildings that are currently in use but are becoming out of date.

Planning permission was originally granted by Allerdale for the development in August 2010 but since then the project has been beset by delays.

Despite this, auctioneer David Bowman hopes that it will be a shot in the arm for Hopes. He said: “It’s been stop-start so far and gone in phases.

“It’s a completely new project that we’ve been planning for five or six years.

“It’ll develop the business and help with a lot of things.

“It might create jobs – we will know once we get into it.”

Despite the slow progress made so far, it is hoped that the new building will be completed by the week before Christmas.

A planning statement submitted to Allerdale council on behalf of Hopes said: “The Wigton mart is experiencing a number of problems both in terms of its buildings and its ability to comply with current regulations.

“To remain competitive Hopes must provide farmers with an appropriate modern facility with good transportation links and a site that allows easy access for articulated wagons responsible for transporting livestock.”

John Pearson, of Story Homes Construction, confirmed that the completed mart building would have 13,100sq ft square feet of cattle penning areas, 3,200sq ft of office and cafe space, and a further 3,200sq ft of sales area.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk