Leicestershire livestock market scoops top award

A livestock market in Melton Mowbray designed and built by Morgan Sindall Construction has won a prestigious property prize.

The £5.5 million market picked up best regeneration project at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) East Midlands awards, which recognises and celebrates outstanding developments in the region.

The 4,295 square metre facilities, built in partnership with construction consultancy, Pick Everard, sit on the existing site of the 1,000-year-old cattle market and have revitalised the historical venue.

Officially opened by Princess Anne in March 2018, the market is the largest of its kind in a town centre in the country and a vital asset to the regional economy. It welcomes around 2,500 farming customers and 350,000 visitors annually and its refurbishment will secure the cattle trade in the area for the next decades.

Morgan Sindall Construction’s area director, Richard Fielding, said: “It’s fantastic to see the project recognised as a stand out development in the East Midlands region with this RICS award.
“Melton Mowbray’s market carries significant historical importance and has been central to the town for centuries. The project team’s incredible work and dedication on the build ensure its legacy for generations to come.”

Morgan Sindall Construction was selected to deliver the project by Melton Borough Council through leading public sector procurement specialist Scape Group’s empa framework. The empa framework has since been replaced by Scape’s Regional Construction framework, which Morgan Sindall Construction was successfully appointed to earlier this year.

Victoria Brambini, Managing Director of Scape Procure, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the livestock market regeneration project in Melton Mowbray being recognised for its contribution to the local community. Working collaboratively, Morgan Sindall, Pick Everard and Melton Borough Council ensured a significant number of training and employment opportunities were created during construction. With the future of this important site now secured, it will continue to play a vital part in the town’s local economy.”

Partner at Pick Everard - the national property, construction and infrastructure consultancy which delivered project and cost management services - Alastair Hamilton, said: “This is a landmark feature in Melton Mowbray, sustaining local businesses as well as bringing thousands of tourists into the town every year. An anticipated 300 events have been planned and the new facilities are expected to attract 240,000 visitors annually.
“It is a project we’re particularly proud of, with its place in the town reaffirming Melton’s position as a premier rural food and drink destination. With 93 per cent of businesses in the town welcoming the scheme – having seen a noticeably increased footfall to the town – I’m sure that the new cattle market will be a great success.”

The development of the market has followed a £2 million investment by Melton Borough Council in the new cattle building which included a contribution of £3.5 million from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) through the Local Growth Fund.

The RICS Awards are the premier property and construction awards in the country, honouring the most innovative projects in the region and their impact on local communities.

• For more information about this news release please contact Jonathan Daly or Steve Sanders at Influential on 0161 804 1400 or email [email protected]