Citizen magazine Winter 2024 - text version - Future of city's livestock market

Future of city's livestock market 

Future of city’s livestock market takes a leap forward

A green light was signalled by cross-party councillors at a full council meeting in October which clearly paved the way ahead for the future of Norwich Livestock Market.

The current market has been trading on its existing site close to Hall Road since the 1960s and is now one of the last trading markets within East Anglia.

Following a unanimous vote on the future provision of the market, a thumbs-up was given to progress plans to seek legal consent to relocate Norwich’s Livestock Market outside the city’s boundary.

While the change to law would remove the current legal restriction of the council having to provide a livestock market within its boundary, there remains a legal duty on the council to provide and maintain a livestock market.

Mike Stonard, leader of the city council, said: “We know how important the market is to all those who use it and the livelihoods it helps to support and safeguard within our farming communities.

“As the legal process to seek a change in the law progresses through parliament there is much more work to be done.

“This will involve a rigorous assessment and full business case appraisal on two sites close to the A47 that we have identified as possible relocation alternatives.”

As leaseholder of the 3.2 acre site, the council is responsible for most of the repair liability. Detailed surveys have shown the repair work is extensive and includes demolishing a former auction building, asbestos removal and major work to the parking areas and roads. The repair work required is expected to cost up to £3m.

As the extent of this work means further investment in the site would not provide value for money, the council is looking at relocation options.

The parliamentary journey to seek a change in the law is expected to take up to 12 months.

A big thank you to everyone who took part in our recent consultation on the future of the livestock market. We had a great response! One of the key findings from the feedback showed overwhelming support for the proposal to relocate the market outside the council’s boundary, with 73 per cent in favour of such a move.