Livestock firm invests £1m in new roof at flagship market complex
Harrison & Hetherington is to invest £1m in a new roof for its flagship Borderway Mart complex in Carlisle.
The move is aimed at future growth, in the 50th anniversary year of the livestock trading business.
The 2,000 sq m double span roof will replace the original low roof of the mart Harrison & Hetherington established when it moved to the Borderway site on Rosehill Industrial Estate exactly 50 years ago.
In the company’s ongoing mission to improve the Borderway facility for H&H customers and enhance its reputation as a national livestock trading hub, the new roof will be higher and wider and is specifically designed to create more space and allow significantly greater airflows and natural light access throughout the complex.
As the number of livestock coming through Borderway continues to rise, improving efficiency, managing livestock flow and safeguarding animal health and welfare are the key drivers in the company’s decision to make this major investment, says Harrison & Hetherington Managing Director, Scott Donaldson.
He said: “Borderway’s location beside the M6 has always been a cornerstone of our reputation and success in attracting buyers and sellers from the length and breadth of the UK.
“In 1974 there would be in excess of 500 head of cattle going through the Borderway ring in a day, and a milestone day would reach towards 2,000.
“Fifty years on, a busy Monday consists of 500 prime cattle and cast cows and 7,000 prime, cast and store sheep, with a busy Wednesday seeing 2,000 forward store cattle, weanlings, young calves and dairy cattle through four rings.”
He added: “Today we are seeing in the region of £250m-worth of livestock bought and sold annually. In addition to the major pedigree sales we conduct throughout the year, we also host major national livestock shows including our Borderway Agri and UK Dairy Expo’s, which, together, draw hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cattle and sheep to be exhibited here from across the UK.
“This new roof will take space, air quality, and light to a whole new level both for the livestock and for the people who buy and sell here. It is also a perfect way to mark our 50th milestone year here at Borderway, and it’s a very tangible commitment to the future of Harrison & Hetherington, our clients and customers, and to the wonderful industry we serve.”
The new roof will be installed by Cumbrian Construction Contractors, Thomas Armstrong, over a period of 22 weeks starting on November 4, with a forecast completion date of April 4, 2025.
Borderway will continue to operate as normal throughout the project, hosting a full schedule of regional and national sales.
Scott said: “We are confident that the end result will benefit all of our customers and stakeholders, and our H&H teams will do everything possible to keep the disruption to a minimum, however, during the build patience and cooperation from our valued and loyal customers will be hugely appreciated.”
