THE Ross-on-Wye livestock auction centre will continue into the future, as the firm that runs it is set to share its premises with another company looking to expand in the town.

RG & RB Williams will continue to offer a facility for livestock auctions in Ross - one of the last remaining family owned and run livestock markets within the UK.

Auctioneer William Probert explained: “To further develop the site and offer a ‘one stop shop’ for farmers we are looking to introduce Wynstay Agricultural Merchants onto the site, which will allow farmers to purchase agricultural products when coming to visit the livestock market with stock.

“We believe this is a fantastic opportunity for the local agricultural community, providing an accessible agricultural store that farmers can visit whilst attending the livestock market.

“The market will continue with myself and Richard Williams and we are very grateful for the continued support from local farmers and will continue to take the livestock market forward; always offering a facility for livestock and machinery auctions.”

Wynnstay, a major supplier of products and services to UK farmers -feed, arable and country stores – has outgrown its current base on the Alton Road Industrial Estate and now requires a larger unit.

A statement accompanying the planning application says: “The move will present an opportunity to expand the business further and boost the local economy,

Wynnstay’s new base would have an internal area of 627 square metres, which would mean the loss of a small area currently used as livestock pens, but the auction centre has plenty of space to cater for this.

With existing parking and road access, the ‘convenient’ location will provide ‘synergy’ between Wynnstay, the auction centre and farmers, and ‘will enable an already successful business to relocate and further expand its operations locally’, the planning application states.

Mr Probert concluded: “Ross Market offers an excellent facility for farmers to market livestock and machinery with it being an excellent social gathering point for farmers on market days.

“We also run a chartered surveyors practice that is operational from the first floor of the livestock market, offering a range of professional services to the rural sector. “

RG & RB Williams secured its future in livestock marketing in 2021 when it bought the remaining shares of its out-of-town market site from its former property-owning partners.

Comments on the planning application, number 242595, can be made until November 26.