The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dispute over the future management of Oban Mart
Five parties apply to take over running of business but owners state preference for United Auctions
A leading north-east businessman who applied to take over the management of the Oban Livestock Centre has accused the mart’s owners of not exploring all potential future management avenues thoroughly.
George Pirie, who runs an antiques dealing business and also breeds Aberdeen-Angus cattle, put together a bid to manage the mart alongside a group of others including National Sheep Association Scottish region event organiser Euan Emslie.
Up until recently the mart, which is owned by the Argyll and Islands Agricultural Trust, was run by Stirling-based Caledonian Marts.
The contract was recently put out to tender and five parties applied to take on the business.
No official decision has been made about the result of the tender process, however the board of directors at the Trust have recommended that United Auctions be appointed to run the mart.
United Auctions previously operated a mart in Oban and the Trust, and subsequently the new mart, was formed when the firm pulled out of the area, causing much controversy at the time.
Last night, Mr Pirie, said he had being contacted by several shareholders at the mart who felt they had not been kept fully informed about the options open to them.
He said: “I’m from a farming family and we’ve been trading in the Argyll area for three generations. We know the area and we know the business.
“We are a new team with new ideas and we know that Oban Mart is going to be crucial to the future success of the industry in Argyll and the Islands.
“We want to see it run as a thriving business, in its own right, not just a satellite offshoot of one of the older, established concerns.
“When shareholders put up their hands to vote at the AGM on the 30th, they must be fully aware of what they are voting for – the future of their mart may depend on it.”
O ban farmer Neil M cC or kinda le, who has been a director at the Trust since its inception more than 20 years ago, said shareholders would get the chance to decide on the future management of the mart at a meeting on Tuesday.
Mr McCorkindale, who is also chairman of the Scottish Beef Association, said: “United Auctions is our preferred option for a variety of reasons. It was not an easy decision to take.
“We understand that there will be some resentment but United Auctions have a foothold in the area and they source a lot of stock privately throughout the area, which could be going through Oban Mart.”
He said shareholders would be given information on all five tender bids at next week’s meeting and added that “there will be nothing hidden”.