Gisburn Auction Mart has been a cornerstone of livestock trading in Lancashire for more than seven decades. Located just outside Clitheroe on the Gisburn–Longridge road, the mart first opened its doors in the wake of World War II and has operated continuously since it was incorporated on 15 July 1949 Companies House. Over that time, it has grown from a local gathering point for hill‐farm flocks into one of the region’s busiest auction centres, attracting farmers and buyers across the North West.
Today, the mart is owned and managed by Gisburn Auction Marts Limited, a private company formed at inception and still headquartered on site. Public records show the business remains closely held, with five principal shareholders overseeing operations and a permanent staff of around fifty people, including auctioneers, clerks, animal handlers and welfare officers UK.GlobalDatabase.com. Governance follows standard Companies House protocols, with an annual confirmation statement and detailed filings that demonstrate both its commercial stability and its ongoing investment in facilities.
Sales at Gisburn take place twice weekly—on Thursday mornings and Saturday afternoons—throughout the year. Those sessions are the backbone of the local farming calendar, providing a reliable marketplace for livestock producers to sell at transparent, competitive prices Gisburn Auctions. Each auction session is preceded by veterinary inspections, identity checks and pre‐sale cataloguing, ensuring compliance with animal‐health regulations and traceability standards.
While sheep and cattle account for the lion’s share of turnover, the mart also handles a broad spectrum of farm animals. Regular listings include breeding ewes and lambs, fattening cattle, store calves and beef cattle; pigs and porkers feature every few weeks; and there are occasional catalogues for goats, horses, poultry and rare native breeds. Specialist “twilight” or pedigree sales attract niche buyers, while group dispersal and on‐farm sale services extend Gisburn’s reach into both the pedigree and commercial sectors.
On average, the mart processes several thousand head of livestock each month. This volume underpins its role as both a price-setting hub and a social forum for the rural community. Beyond the trading floor, Gisburn Auction Mart has expanded its services to include on-site butchery, laminitis clinics, flock health seminars and equipment sales, diversifying income streams while maintaining its core auction business.
Investment in infrastructure has been a consistent theme. In recent years, the mart has modernised its sheep pens, upgraded loading ramps for cattle, installed under-floor heating in the holding yards and improved drainage to minimise stress on animals. A purpose-built isolation unit and a dedicated waste-water treatment plant underscore its commitment to biosecurity and environmental standards.
As British agriculture navigates challenges—from shifting subsidy regimes to sustainability targets—Gisburn Auction Mart remains a vital link between producers and markets. By preserving its traditional twice-weekly sales while embracing modern welfare and trading practices, it continues to support the economic lifeblood of hill farms, lowland dairies and mixed holdings across Lancashire and beyond.
References
Gisburn Auctions Gisburn Auction Mart – Sale Reports, https://www.gisburnauctions.com/Sale-Reports
Companies House GISBURN AUCTION MARTS LIMITED overview – Companies House, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00470865
UK.GlobalDatabase.com GISBURN AUCTION MARTS LIMITED company key information – UK Global Database, https://uk.globaldatabase.com/company/gisburn-auction-marts-limited
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