Cattle market revamp delayed until next year

The Stockyard project has had a 'thorough review'

The revamp of the food and events hub at Melton Cattle Market has been pushed back until next year.

The development of the Stockyard was initially earmarked to start in the spring, but has now been scheduled for July 2026.

Melton Borough Council said the "revised timeline" for the redevelopment would allow it to "better support existing businesses and events".

Pip Allnatt, leader of the authority, said a "thorough review" of the project had been carried out to ensure it "remains relevant to the evolving needs of Melton".

Allnatt said: "We're pleased to confirm that the Stockyard project continues to move forward, with the planning phase now complete and the focus shifting to preconstruction and operator engagement.

"Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026, following two of Melton's flagship events in May - The Artisan Cheese Fair and the NBA Beef EXPO - both of which showcase the town's proud agricultural and food heritage and reinforce its identity as the Rural Capital of Food.

"A thorough review of the programme has been undertaken to ensure the development remains relevant to the evolving needs of Melton.

"This includes responding to a heightened demand for cultural and educational spaces, to allow the site to better serve our community and enhance the site's long-term value.

"Crucially, food production will remain at the heart of the site, reinforcing Melton's reputation and ensuring the space continues to champion our local producers and food heritage."

Create new jobs

The Stockyard is home to a number of food and drink businesses including the Round Corner Brewery and the Feast and the Furious smokehouse. It also holds weekly markets and special markets throughout the year.

The plans showed the addition of a new events space and four new buildings when the redevelopment was given the go-ahead in February.

The council said the revamp would create 110 permanent jobs and is expected to attract an estimated 50,000 extra visitors.

The scheme is part of a wider project with Rutland County Council under the Rural Innovation in Action scheme, which received combined UK Government Funding of £22.95m.

Lydia Rusling, director for place and prosperity at Melton Borough Council, said: "The revised timeline allows us to better support existing businesses and events—particularly the NBA Beef Expo, which is a major achievement for the town and a key part of our food and farming identity.

"We have adjusted our programme to accommodate design updates, and pre-commencement planning conditions which will be presented to Cabinet in December."

Allnatt said fencing around the site, put up in preparation for the work, had now been removed as "part of our commitment to supporting existing site users, growing footfall and ensuring the benefits of the redevelopment and funding are felt as early as possible."