Decade forecast for new Thainstone mart construction

A new agricultural centre at Thainstone is at least eight to 10 years away, according to ANM Group chairman Mike Macauley.

Speaking at the co-operative’s annual general meeting, Mr Macauley detailed consultations with members regarding renovating the current mart and the possibility of erecting a new centre.

He said: “Once we have a firm idea of what we want and the figures, the members will be the first to know. The driver is the cost of operating the current building. We have to think 40 to 50 years ahead, this is not going to happen in the next couple of years.”

With potential plans going public, including a large display within the Thainstone concourse,

Mr Macauley revealed that numerous interested parties have emerged to take on the existing building. This interest has allowed the co-op to better understand the building’s value if taken over by another user, providing a comparison point for potential upgrading costs.

Chief executive Grant Rogerson said: “The consultation is extremely healthy, with a lot of engagement. We need to cover all the bases on whether we use the existing building or a new one, but as I mentioned in my report, much of the equipment is starting to show its age. Right now, we are assessing what is feasible and possible.”

The executive team addressed queries about the future of the proposed Scotbeef abattoir at Thainstone. Mr Macauley stated: “I keep telling everybody the abattoir is closer to starting than it has ever been. But we have no control over whether it goes ahead or not.”

ANM sold the land designated for an abattoir adjacent to the Thainstone site to Scotbeef in 2018 and is no longer a shareholder, having been paid out two years prior.

It was highlighted that Scotbeef’s Inverurie operation continues at North Street, a valuable town centre location owned by ANM.

Head livestock auctioneer John Angus informed members that while the average commission rate at livestock markets is 4%, ANM members benefit from a rate of 3.36%. He claimed: “This is undoubtedly the lowest within the auction system; no other business can claim to have benefited their member customers to this extent.”

The livestock division’s performance was robust, with 72,264 cattle and 311,480 sheep traded in 2023. These figures contributed to a trading profit of £787,000 and a return of 2.75% on shares which handed back £197,000 to members.

It was also noted that the catering business at the mart has been outsourced to Harry Fraser and will no longer be handled directly by ANM.

The accounts also stated that the pension deficit has risen by £100,000 to £2.5m.