02/12/2024
Press Release
Bletsoes announce withdrawal of full time Auction Services from Stratford-upon-Avon Livestock Market After 15 Years of Service
It is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that we announce the withdrawal of our full time Auction Services offering at Stratford-upon-Avon Livestock Market, which has been under our management since January 2010. This decision has not been taken lightly, but after careful consideration and monitoring over the past few months, we must adapt to the significant challenges currently facing the livestock sector. Our final sale will be held on 17th December 2024 though we hope to continue annually with outdoor breeding sales in late Summer / early Autumn.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all buyers and vendors who have supported us over the years. Your loyalty and dedication have been the cornerstone of the market’s operations and successes. We hope that you will continue to support us with our outdoor breeding sales.
We would also like to express our deep appreciation to the Cook family, the owners of the Market, who have been instrumental in supporting the market throughout our tenure. The Cooks opened the market in 2003 after Foot and Mouth and following the closure of the old Market in Stratford town centre; Tony Cook has manned the trailer wash during the past 21-years. The Cooks partnership has been invaluable, and we are profoundly grateful for their collaboration. We wish to make it clear that the Cook family are not at all to blame for our decision to withdraw our full time Auction Services offering at Stratford.
A special note of thanks goes to our incredible staff, whose unwavering efforts and professionalism have been essential to running the market over our 15-year tenure. Their hard work and commitment have ensured the highest standards of service for our clients. The Cook family have asked us to pass on their thanks to the late Craig Thompson who was their first auctioneer and helped to build the market, and also to Ed Cox who was a highly-regarded auctioneer at Stratford.
The withdrawal of our full time Auction Services at Stratford reflects the reality of reducing stock numbers nationally and the increasing financial pressures on the agricultural industry, including the recent announcement by the Government to increase national insurance contributions by Employers. These factors have made the continuation of this market unsustainable.
While this aspect of our offering at Stratford comes to a close, we remain fully committed to providing professional services from Stratford and intend to continue having a physical presence in Stratford, either at the Market or elsewhere close-by. We are pleased to report that professional services offering continues to grow, so much so that both Chris Templar MRICS and George Pullin MRICS are regularly engaged with ‘Stratford based’ professional work.
Furthermore, our dedication to Auctions remains unwavering. We are proud to highlight our significant recent investment in the Thrapston Auction Centre, just off Junction 13 of the A14, which stands as a testament to our firm’s long-term commitment to the auction industry.
As a business, we continue to grow and evolve, focusing on new opportunities and expanding services to meet the needs of our valued clients and provide advice on agricultural, rural property and planning matters.
We thank you all for your understanding and support as we transition through this change and look forward to continuing our work with you in new and exciting ways.
The Partners
2nd December 2024
