Deal struck over future of historic cattle market

An agreement means the more than 100 years of auctioneering at the site can continue

A deal has been struck to secure the future of Nottingham Cattle Market.

The market, in Meadow Lane, has been the base of auctioneer Arthur Johnson and Sons for more than 100 years.

However, the firm had said it had feared it would have to quit the site and move elsewhere.

New leases have been agreed meaning the company can stay for "for the foreseeable future".

Animals were sold at the site until 1992

Managing director of the auctioneers Phil Poyser said: "While we would have continued elsewhere, it would have been a sad day for the company and all its customers.

"Now, with our home secured, we can open a new chapter and look ahead to the future."

Mr Poyser said the leases had been agreed with the help of property agent Innes England and law firm Knights.

He thanked them, adding: "Without them we would have risked losing our base in the Cattle Market, where we have been for more than a century."

The market was established on the site in 1886

Arthur Johnson and Sons was founded in 1888, originally selling livestock at the market before switching entirely to antique sales in 1992 after the last animals were sold at the site.

Steve Holland, director of professional services at Innes England, said: "There has been uncertainty around the future of the Cattle Market for almost 20 years.

"The longer these negotiations continued, the more precarious the auctioneers' position became, and so it's immensely satisfying to have reached a positive conclusion, securing the premises for the company's operation for the foreseeable future."