Darlington Farmers Auction Mart to move after 131 years

The Darlington Farmers Auction Mart (DFAM) is relocating to a new purpose-built home after 131 years at its Clifton Road premises.

The market, which has occupied its current site since it was founded in 1887, will use seven-figure funding to establish a new 66,300 sq ft base next to the A68.

The facility will improve accessibility for agricultural vehicles at the market. Vehicles previously had to enter Darlington town centre when loading and unloading goods, increasing journey times.

It will have space for 1,000 cattle and 3,000 sheep, 11 units available for businesses to hire and an on-site restaurant for visitors and employees.

DFAM is forecasting its sales volume to rise 10-15% and will look to create up to five new jobs to meet the demand.

As one of the largest dedicated agricultural auction markets in the UK, DFAM currently hosts more than 300 visitors each week and handles over £46m in sales annually.

How DFAM’s new home could look

DFAM finance director Richard Heseltine said: “Our move out of Darlington has been five years in the making and there’s local excitement that it’s finally happening.

“As the town has expanded and livestock wagons have grown larger, our original premises have become increasingly difficult to access.”

He continued: “When I joined the business, one of the first moves that I made was bringing the team at Lloyds Bank on board to support us in finding a solution.

“The financial support and guidance that we received from them, combined with funds raised from the sale of our development land at Neasham Road, has made this essential relocation finally possible.”

In addition to the market building, DFAM is also constructing a new roundabout connecting the site with the nearby A68.

It is also seeking planning consent to build a business park next to the market, which would serve as a hub for local agricultural businesses.

Richard added: “Farmers and traders will gain easier access to their customers and suppliers thanks to our enhanced connectivity to Yorkshire, the North East, and beyond.”

Felicity Hails, relationship director for agriculture at Lloyds, commented: “Darlington Farmers Auction Mart has been a keystone in the local agricultural economy for well over a century.

“I’m looking forward to seeing DFAM flourish as it completes its move to its new facility, and as it grows we’ll be with them every step of the way.”

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