FARMERS have pledged more than £180,000 in just a few weeks in a bid to keep Hailsham's historic livestock market open.
The Hailsham Market Action Group (HMAG), which is hoping to raise £2.5 million for a state-of-the-art rural business centre off the A22, said it was 'greatly encouraged' by financial support it had received.
Around 130 of the market's regular user
s attended a meeting last month when they were asked to stump up £750,000 to help fund the new site.
Pledges received in the four weeks since that meeting amount to nearly a quarter of the target.
HMAG's ambitious relocation plans would see a revamped state-of-the-art livestock market on a 10-acre site to the west of the A22 Diplocks roundabout, with a market cafe, veterinary centre, country store and other farming services.
A company has been formed to handle the project and talks to appoint a board of directors are ongoing.
Hellingly district councillor David White, who has been legally advising HMAG, said the aim was for the new market to be owned by the farming community.
He said, "Given the importance of a local livestock market to the town and the local rural economy, it is vital those who wish to see Hailsham market continue should get behind these plans and invest in ownership of the market.
"For many, the financial consequences should the market close would greatly exceed the amount they are now being asked to contribute.
"I believe there exists a real prospect of delivering a new state-of-the-art market and rural business centre that will restore the reputation of Hailsham as one of the country's leading livestock markets and will revitalise the town.
"There are those who believe the market should continue on its present site. In the absence of a better site, HMAG is of the same view.
"However what is important is that there continues to be a Hailsham market and if this means moving to an alternative site then this should not be ruled out.
"I am greatly encouraged by the level of financial support shown to date and would urge those who so far have not made a commitment to do so now if the continued existence of a local market is important to them."
HMAG has also vowed to oppose Aldi's plans for a store on the current site, unless the supermarket firm helped fund the new site and promised not to build on the existing market until the new one was up and running.
Aldi has appealed against the decision to refuse permission for a store on the current market site. A date for the inquiry has not yet been set.
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