East Lindsey District Council – Louth Cattle Market

Client: East Lindsey District Council

Instruction: Local Authority Consultancy

In June 2013, Chase & Partners were selected by East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) to advise on the potential disposal of the Council owned Cattle Market in Louth.

Louth is an affluent and traditional market town in rural Lincolnshire, which has won numerous awards both for the the town centre as a whole and the quality of its independent retailers.  The Council recognised that with the economic downturn and increasing leakage to other centres with a more comprehensive retail offer action was needed to stem a decline in the town. As part of a strategic review, ELDC wished to review the options available to them to bring forward the Cattle Market site for redevelopment, whilst recognising the need to attract suitable uses, maximise financial returns and identify solutions to deal with any potential obstacles that could arise throughout the process.

Chase & Partners were instructed, as a first stage, to provide a report commenting on landlord and tenant issues;  the current occupation of the site by Louth Market Auctioneers Limited; appraisals assessing land values for various development options; alternative methods of sale; potential uses including food store, residential, medical, bulky goods, non bulky goods, small and medium format A1 retail, A3 and A4 leisure, office and industrial uses; and the current state of the local and national market.

We undertook a number of detailed inspections of the town and the site alongside general investigations in order to provide accurate and fully researched advice for the Council. It was imperative for us to comprehensively understand the potential local issues that might arise from any development and how they might impact upon Louth, in particular the town’s renowned independent food retailers and strong town centre profile that provides an individual and unique offer. We also needed to listen to and consider the concerns of local objectors and manange any enquiries sensitively.

We submitted our report within the agreed timescale.  This was used by the Council as the basis for discussion with the public and at the Executive Board Council meeting, which was attended by Chase & Partners.

As a second stage and subject to a decision by ELDC, Chase & Partners are instructed to provide a report detailing marketing advice in relation to the potential disposal of the Cattle Market site; it is expected that marketing will commence in November 2013.