Harborough's historic sheep market has re-opened after being shut for 10 weeks

The popular mart was closed when the Government imposed the Covid-19 lockdown on March 23
The historic Market Harborough sheep market has re-opened after being shut for 10 weeks.The historic Market Harborough sheep market has re-opened after being shut for 10 weeks.
The historic Market Harborough sheep market has re-opened after being shut for 10 weeks.

The historic Market Harborough sheep market has re-opened after being shut for 10 weeks.

The popular ancient mart was closed when the Government imposed the Covid-19 lockdown on March 23.

But the event was thrown back open to local farmers and traders at its 28-year-old site on Foxton Road, Lubenham, on Wednesday June 3.

A spokesman for Market Harborough Auctions: “It was such a relief to get back up and running again.

“We had a very encouraging response and up to about 300 prime lambs and other sheep were sold.”

He added: “They went for £90-£108 a head, which is about right.

“Our market is historic and goes back many many years so it was good to be doing business again.

“Farmers and traders flock here from all over South Leicestershire and across the border into Northamptonshire.

“We have re-opened in strict accordance with the latest Government and DEFRA department advice and guidance.

“We have introduced social distancing measures and other controls and no public are being admitted to the site.”

He said the iconic livestock market will now be staged every Wednesday as usual at its base on the Lubenham-Foxton country road.

The market is enforcing the following rules for the foreseeable future:

Vendors will be requested to book in entries by calling the office on 0116 233 6433 by the Monday evening before the Wednesday sale for them to be included in the sale

The market will be operating on a ‘Drop and Go’ basis and vendors will leave instructions with the auctioneers where possible

Only market staff will be permitted to enter the penning area and sort the animals

Only market staff and buyers are permitted access to the pens but on a strict social distancing basis

All Movement Licences have to be fully completed with full address, telephone number and email address

The market canteen will remain closed until further notice

Anyone who is not market staff, a vendor or buyer will not be permitted access to the market under any circumstances.