Deal agreed to save town’s mart
THE future of Carmarthen livestock market has been secured.
Carmarthenshire Council has signed a new leaseholder with the promise of new investment and new jobs for the area.
Nock Deighton Agricultural LLP, which runs the successful Newcastle Emlyn livestock market, has won the tender to run the Carmarthen mart at Nantyci.
The company is set to make substantial initial investment in upgrading the facilities, and intends to create 19 local jobs, in addition to providing work for local auctioneers.
The future of the mart had been shrouded in doubt since last summer, when it was operated by
Bob Jones, Prytherch and Co Marts Ltd (BJP Marts), who ran the site for many years.
However, that lease agreement expired last year, leaving many farmers across West Wales in the dark about the mart’s future.
Having been closed for several months in 2020, doubts were raised about whether it would ever reopen, or whether the large site, located off the A40 two miles west of Carmarthen, would be used for another purpose.
In January, Carmarthenshire Council started looking for a business to save its biggest mart, which has not operated
for months.
Cllr David Jenkins, Carmarthenshire Council executive board member for resources, said: “The Carmarthen mart is an important element of Carmarthenshire’s rural economy, and we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to Nock Deighton.
“The company has a long history, a great track record of running large livestock markets, including the very successful mart at Newcastle Emlyn, and a strong commitment to localism.
“The company an excellent fit for Carmarthen Mart and we look forward to a long and successful association is
with them as we move the mart forward.”
The Nock Deighton company is 190 years old and currently runs the large Bridgnorth Livestock and Auction Centre in Shropshire.
Since taking over Newcastle Emlyn livestock market in 2018 they have increased throughput by more than 60%, turning a declining market into a thriving one.
A representative of Nock Deighton said: “The partners of Nock Deighton Agricultural LLP are delighted to have been granted the opportunity of running Carmarthen Mart in the very near future.
“We are very much looking forward to developing the business, alongside our existing marts at Newcastle Emlyn and Bridgnorth, and in doing so providing good-quality employment for local people, something we are committed to and looking forward to.
“We hope to provide a high-quality service for all our customers in what is the premier livestock facility for the rural communities of West Wales and further afield.”
The mart at Nantyci has two auction rings with associated livestock pens for cattle, sheep and pigs, together with modern purpose-built facilities including a reception and mart office, café area and bar.