Tougher rules at livestock market

Even tougher rules were in place at the latest High Peak livestock market in Bakewell on Monday.

Strict ‘Drop and Go’ rules were in operation which meant no vendors, no trade stands and no café.  

Auctioneers Bagshaws said: “We are doing our best to keep everyone safe. The current objective is maximum numbers of stock with minimum people.”

The result was 509 cattle and 1,662 sheep and only genuine buyers permitted around the rings. 

Both sale rings now have clearly marked ‘buyer positions’ and social distancing was rigorously enforced.

Bagshaws went on: “The national situation is now so serious that anyone who cannot abide by the rules is not welcome. 

“We fully understand that for vendors not to be present whilst their stock is sold is hard to accept, however, when we are faced with a crisis as serious as this and with trade as good as it is, it is a small price to pay for keeping people safer, be they vendors at home or purchasers in the market.

“It looks as though the current circumstances are going to be with us for months, so we have set off with the new measures in place for the future.”