Go Ahead Given for £50 Million Cheshire Auction Centre and Rural Business Hub

21st March 2014

Approval has finally been given for a proposed new Auction Centre and Rural Business Hub close to junction 18 of the M6, following submission of a proposal by two well-known firms of Auctioneers, Estate Agents and Valuers, Frank Marshall LLP and Wright Manley LLP, in conjunction with Pochin Land and Development.

The two firms have previously announced their intention to merge this coming April into the new firm of WRIGHT MARSHALL. Landlords of both the existing sites at Chelford and Beeston have obtained planning consent for alternative development and Partners in the two businesses felt the best way to safeguard and improve their diverse auctioneering businesses was to develop a new Centre with purpose built facilities, in an accessible location.

Nationally renowned developers Pochin were able to offer a suitable site, together with the required planning and development experience and expertise, and at last Thursday’s meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee at Cheshire West and Chester Council, the proposal was approved.

Gwyn Williams, Partner in Frank Marshall said “We are delighted with the outcome, which now guarantees the survival and future growth of our long established auctioneering business. We currently conduct nearly £60 million worth of business on behalf of the rural economy and believe that this new, state of the art, Auction Centre will enable us to build upon the success of our diverse auctioneering business”.

The current markets hold extensive sales of livestock and farm produce, horticultural produce, agricultural and contractors plant and machinery, attracting vendors and buyers from throughout the UK.

The merger of the two businesses brings together not only the auctioneering expertise, but also 8 Estate Agency and Valuation offices throughout the region, along with an internationally-renowned Fine Arts business conducted from two salerooms.

Nigel Eckersley, Partner in Wright Manley, commented “We recognise the potential of the Cheshire Fresh development at Middlewich to provide high quality and purpose built facilities suitable for modern day requirements. The forthcoming merger of our businesses into WRIGHT MARSHALL offers potential for an exceptional business to be located in this region, the consent we have now obtained being the first step towards the development of a business able to compete with the very best in the UK”.