A farmers auction market which has occupied the same site in County Durham for over 120 years will now move thanks to a seven-figure funding package.
The Darlington Farmers Auction Mart (DFAM) is set to relocate to its new purpose-built auction premises.
The market, which has occupied the same site on Clifton Road since its establishment in 1887, will use funds from Lloyds Bank to begin building its new 6,160 square meter premises next month.
The new facility - situated next to the A68 - will increase accessibility for agricultural vehicles, which previously had to enter Darlington town centre to load and unload goods, adding a significant amount of time to their journey.
DFAM is now anticipating the volume of sales to rise by an estimated 10-15% and will be looking to hire up to five new members of staff to meet demand.
The new auction market will include space for 1000 cattle and 3000 sheep. Eleven business units will also be available for hire, and the building will include a restaurant for visitors and staff.
'Five years in the making'
DFAM, one of the UK’s largest agricultural auction markets, currently hosts more than 300 visitors a week and handles more than £46m in sales every year.
Richard Heseltine, Finance Director at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart said: “Our move out of Darlington has been five years in the making and there’s local excitement that it’s finally happening.
“As the town has expanded and livestock wagons have grown larger, our original premises have become increasingly difficult to access.”
Mr Heseltine added: “In addition to constructing our new state-of-the art market building, we’ll also be building a new roundabout to connect the site to the A68 and are currently seeking approval to build a business park next door to provide a hub for local agricultural businesses.
“This means farmers and traders will gain easier access to their customers and suppliers thanks to our enhanced connectivity to Yorkshire, the North East, and beyond.”
