Historic market to close after land sale is agreed
CHELFORD Market is to close after more than a hundred years in the village.
The bustling market, which sees thousands of pounds worth of cattle pass through its gates each week, is set to shut its doors at the end of March after landlords agreed the sale of the land for housing.
The move will result in the loss of ‘a number’ of jobs and will see produce grown in Macclesfield taken 50 miles to Beeston, near Nottingham to be sold. Gwyn Williams, from Wright Marshall, said they are ‘bitterly disappointed’ they have not been able to secure a new site for the historic market.
He said: “We’ve been trying to find an alternative site for 16 years. We have found a number of sites which we believe would have been suitable, unfortunately we have not been able to secure one.
“We are still looking, and we are still in negotiations with another site and in conversations with Cheshire East Council - who have been very supportive - but unfortunately our lease at Chelford has come to an end and our final market will be in March. Unfortunately it’s indicative of what’s happening in the rural communities across the country. It’s going to have a massive impact on our customers, but we are going to do everything we can to ensure our Chelford customers continue to get the best service.”
Chelford Market’s landlords have entered into a conditional contract to sell the site to a development company which requires vacant possession of the site prior to submitting a detailed planning application for housing which is yet to be submitted.
Wright Marshall will hold its last sale in Chelford on March 30 when the existing business - which includes the trade of animals, produce and plants and shrubs - will be relocated to the firm’s other Auction Centre at Beeston Castle.
Keith Brightmore, from the Macclesfield branch of the National Farmers Union, said it was the end of an era for local farmers.
He said: “Chelford has been open for more than 100 years and it’s always been part of the local farming life.
“It will be a real loss for people. There’s a lot of sadness because it’s been a huge part of the local farming scene.
“People used to go even if they weren’t selling things it is the social aspect that you lose as well, meeting all your mates. It was a busy, busy place.”