A charter granted in the 13th century gave Welshpool the right to hold a weekly Monday market, establishing a trading tradition that still stands today. Smithfield Livestock Market was formally founded in 1863 and operated for well over a century from its Mill Lane site in the centre of the town. In 2009, the market moved to a modern, purpose-built facility on the outskirts of Welshpool — retaining its heritage while investing decisively in the future.
Redevelopment began in 2008 on a 16-acre site on the outskirts of Welshpool. In November 2009, the multi-million-pound Livestock Marketing Centre opened as the new home of Welshpool Livestock Sales, setting a new benchmark for modern livestock trading. The 3.25-acre livestock building was designed for scale and efficiency, featuring four dedicated sales rings and capacity for over 1,200 cattle and 15,000 sheep — future-proofing the market while raising standards across the board.
Long established as the principal livestock auction centre for Mid Wales and the Borders, and widely regarded as the largest prime lamb market in Western Europe, Welshpool Livestock Sales remains a cornerstone of the industry. Drawing buyers and vendors from across the UK, our markets deliver depth of competition and transparent price discovery week in, week out. Our dedicated team provides disciplined, professional handling of both pedigree and commercial livestock, acting for an extensive client base built on long-standing relationships, trust and consistent performance.
The WLS team delivers weekly Monday sales of prime lambs, prime cattle, cull ewes and cull cows, alongside seasonal store sheep sales including store lambs, couples and breeding ewes. Fortnightly sales of cows and calves and store cattle attract buyers from across the UK, creating depth of competition and reliable price tension. With efficient throughput, strict grading and transparent auctioneering, vendors know exactly where they stand. Annually, Welshpool Livestock Sales handles in excess of 500,000 sheep and 10,000 cattle — consistency and scale that underpin market confidence.
The team hosts several large collective machinery sales at the Welshpool Livestock site, strategically located for ease of access for both vendors and purchasers. The modern sales facility accommodates everything from chainsaws to tractors, providing a structured, efficient trading environment with clear presentation and strong buyer engagement. Supported by live auction, timed online sales and online bidding platforms, the sales attract both on-site and remote purchasers, maximising exposure, competition and saleability for higher-value machinery. From dispersals to individual entries, the focus remains on achieving firm results through professional marketing and disciplined auctioneering.
The WLS Conference and Meeting Centre offers flexible facilities for 1 to 150 delegates, suitable for corporate events, business meetings and conferences. The centre provides a professional, well-equipped environment with complimentary Wi-Fi, extensive on-site parking and full disabled access. In addition, the wider Welshpool Livestock site is available for diversified event hire, supporting activities such as car rallying, dog training and other organised events, maximising the commercial use of the site throughout the year.
In March 2018, two of the region’s leading estate agents and chartered surveyors, and joint partners in Welshpool Livestock Sales — Morris, Marshall and Poole and Norman Lloyd — merged to form Morris, Marshall and Poole with Norman Lloyd, now trading as Morris Marshall & Poole. The firm incorporates Welshpool Livestock Sales and provides a comprehensive range of chartered surveying, estate agency and auctioneering services across Mid Wales and the Borders, including agricultural, residential and commercial property, valuations, rural professional advice and farm and estate consultancy.
WLS now serves as the dedicated rural and agricultural hub for Morris Marshall & Poole, consolidating specialist expertise under one operational base. From this centre, the rural team provides a comprehensive range of professional agricultural services, including rural property and farmland valuations, farm and livestock sales, estate and farm consultancy, landlord and tenant matters, and advice on government subsidy and support schemes. Backed by experienced chartered surveyors and auctioneers, the team delivers practical, commercially focused advice grounded in strong local knowledge and professional standards.