Royal approval for £5.5m Melton cattle market

Morgan Sindall was selected to build the £5.5 million facility by Melton Borough Council through SCAPE’s empa framework, which has since been replaced by SCAPE's Regional Construction framework, which Morgan Sindall was successfully appointed to earlier this year.

Working in partnership with Leicester-headquartered construction consultancy, Pick Everard, the project team was able to construct the new building on the existing site of the 1,000-year-old cattle market, breathing new life into the historical venue and securing its operation for the next two decades.

As the largest town centre livestock market in the country, it is a crucial asset to the regional economy, supporting both the 2,500 farming customers, and 350,000 visitors which make use of the site annually.

The new facility opened for business last year, which includes replacement cow sheds and pens, will ensure that the market remains safe, competitive and compliant with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs requirements.

The Princess Royal spent around an hour touring the new building and meeting members of the project team, along with leader of the Council, Joe Orson, staff, farmers and local business owners on Wednesday 7th March 2018 during the official ceremony.

She praised the design of the building and that Morgan Sindall had been able to redevelop the market on the original site.

Morgan Sindall’s area director, Richard Fielding, said: “Melton Mowbray’s cattle market has been integral to the town for centuries. We were pleased to be able to build on the existing site and to receive the royal seal of approval for our design is particularly gratifying.

“The new facility provides the local businesses who rely on the industry with the modern environment needed to support the livestock trade for a generation. Through our construction work we were able to provide a number of employment opportunities to local people and the finished market will leave a lasting legacy.”

Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard, provided cost and project management services for the scheme.

Matt Hall, director at Pick Everard, said: "We're delighted to see this fantastic facility up and running, continuing to develop Melton's position as a premier rural food and drink destination.

"The redevelopment did present some challenges which required careful negotiations in terms of excavation, land contamination treatments and drainage. These were all overcome successfully and we managed to remain on budget and complete this incredibly important project within the proposed timeframe."