‘Looking after buyers and sellers is what matters...’
THOMAS Carroll is the current Chairman of the Kingdom Co- Operative Livestock Mart. The Ballyheigue native has been a member of the committee since 2011 and was appointed Chairman in 2018. Thomas said the mart’s 60 year history reflects many different chapters - all of which have been orientated towards the same fundamental concept of improving the mart.
In the early years, sales at the mart were traditionally held on Monday and Tuesdays. This is still the same except for the past 15 years or so the mart now holds its weekly calf sale on Tuesday evenings. This reflects the changing nature of farming as it is no longer a full-time job for many people. This is just a brief example of how Kingdom Mart is facilitating transitions in farming and the changing lifestyles that come with it.
Thomas believes catering for buyers and sellers is the Kingdom Mart’s sole priority. “Even though the mart in terms of location has changed in 60-years, what hasn’t changed is the service we provide,” said Thomas.
“Looking after the buyers and sellers is what matters. It’s the reason the mart was set up from day one. We have a good working committee that meets once a month. The mart has had to change with the times but it’s still about buying and selling at the end of the day.”
Thomas added that the influx of warehouses within the vicinity of the mart is another key change over the years; a change that has created no shortage of footfall and vibrancy. Farmers who come to the mart can now avail of many ancillary services; a garage, farm machinery, fuel supplies, a restaurant, and the NCT test centre is but an example.
Thomas insists that a pathway to success is for the mart to stick to its founding principles of working hard for its shareholders and customers.
“The warehouses are now a big part of the mart. Even if you drive in when the mart isn’t on there is a large footfall. These businesses help to sustain the mart in their own way. It’s very much a two-way process in that you can avail of these businesses while also doing business at the mart. Convenience is important. This site has been added to over the years and if you didn’t have the warehouses you wouldn’t have the tenants. Even the Sunday morning market is now a social gathering for many. It’s not just a cattle mart anymore; it’s a wonderful facility.”