Plans change to reopen mart in Laois that shut due to high costs

Hopes remain that farmers will return to Mountrath to sell their cattle this year. Pic: Alf Harvey

placeholder image — Hopes remain that farmers will return to Mountrath to sell their cattle this year. Pic: Alf Harvey

Repairs and views of farmers have cause the committee to change tack

Changes have been made to the plan to reopen Mountrath Mart for strategic and facility reasons, according to the Mart Co-op Chairperson.

A calf sale was due to have been held on March 6 as part of a phased reopening of the Mart which shut in 2019 due to high running costs. However, the Mountrath Mart Co-Op committee decided not to proceed with this approach and cancelled the calf sale.

Ken Holmes, Co-op Committee Chairman, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live it was not possible to proceed for practical reasons. However, he said the committee had taken on board farmer views expressed about the phased opening at a well-attened public meeting last month.

He said further investigation of the buildings revealed that extra upgrades and repairs were required than had been thought before it could be used. He said extensive rewiring is needed while other repairs are required such as replacing or fixing the sales screens. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The mart is located on a big site on the Rushin Road.

While work is underway on the various internal works, Mr Holmes said it will take time due to the availability of tradespeople to do the work. He added that the budget is also “very tight” to complete the work needed.

He added, however, that work has been carried out to the exterior of the building.

While the overhaul of facilities is one of the reasons for the delay, Mr Holmes said the change of plan reflects the views of Co-op members, farmers and other stakeholders about how it should reopen. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Meeting held in Mountrath in February. Pic: Leinster Express / Laois Live

Several speakers at a public meeting held at Bloom HQ in early February has reservations about the initial plan. They said that if the mart is to succeed as a going concern it should reopen with a full sale of cattle with regular full sales thereafter.

Mr Holmes said that the committee had listened to this view and decided to proceed on that basis. He said the committee is now working towards a July reopening date and sales would take place fortnightly after opening. He added that no sheep sales are scheduled.

The Chairman also confirmed that the Committee is due to meet Enterprise Ireland this month to begin work on a plan for the future.

Mr Holmes also said a full progress report would be delivered to a meeting of shareholders where proposals may also be made to seek approval from co-op members on sourcing finance externally and / or from members themselves. He said support was committed after the public meeting in Bloom HQ in February.

The Chairman concluded by renewing an appeal to people to assist the committee in reopening the Mart as a going concern. He said they could contact him or any committee member. He added that he was grateful for all the support given to date some of which has not incurred a cost. The use of land around the mart will also have to be decided by members.

The Mart closed in early 2019 after more than 50 years of trading. The then committee decided to close due to weekly losses of €1,500 and a €90,000 annual insurance premium. However, no debts were left. The committee believed that curtailing losses by closure would mean the mart could reopen at a future date.