THERE WAS an optimistic buzz around the ringside at Caledonian Marts' Stirling market on Monday as buyers and sellers mulled over the announcement made by the board of directors last Friday that the preferred bidders for the business were local farmers and livestock dealers, John, Brian and Steven Gilvear, putting an end to months of speculation.

To the relief of many, the announcement also confirmed that "the business will continue to be run and operated by the present management and staff from the premises at Millhall."

Managing director James Cullens told The Scottish Farmer: "We still have a bit of formality to sort through in the next couple of weeks, we shall get into the nitty gritty of how the company gets from where it was into the new structure.

"As far as the day to day business of the mart goes, it's very much business as usual with the staff being kept on to maintain continuity. Everyone I've spoken to has only has positive comments. The Gilvear family have a fantastic grip of the livestock industry. After all, that has been their business for many years."

Caledonian's operations manager and auctioneer, John Kyle, expressed his joy: "I am delighted at the outcome - it has been a hard old eight months, but a good outcome and it is onwards and upwards from here. It is good to see competition remaining in the city."

The firm's native store cattle show and sale on Monday saw record averages and buyers from all parts of the country, who were upbeat about the news, which includes the lease at Oban.

Aileen Ingram of Drumblade is a regular in the market, buying stores to take back north to Aberdeenshire. She reckons that it is a great move for the market: "I have been coming to the Cally for many years. I hope it can go on and grow now. Opposition is a great healthy thing," she added.

Former president of the Highland Cattle Society, Angus Mackay, feels the new owners will bring positive change to the mart: "These people know this game inside out. The Gilvear family have been involved in the industry for generations and they are local - I like that. I believe local people should be involved.

"I hope they take this real opportunity they have been given to give the business a shake-up. They can't just sit back. This market needs to increase turnover. Like all good businesses someone new needs to come in every so often and give it a kick up the backside. It is a shame it got to this stage but the mart has been thrown a lifeline and it needs to use it to it's advantage."

Cupar's Robin Lang said: "It is a great move, we need both markets in Stirling. There is nothing like a bit of competition."

Echoing those words was Malcolm Kidd of Congelton: "We need as many markets as possible. I buy 250 store cattle a year to fatten in Cheshire. I like the native types that we have in the market today, they fatten easily off the grass. Caledonian will have now have a good secure future."

"It is great to see it being bought over," said Jimmy Smith of Lochgilphead. "I buy both cattle and sheep here and it would have been a disaster if it closed."

Another pleased with the announcement was Alex Main of Northshields Farm, Denny: "It's great news, I'm delighted."

"I have been coming up to the market here in Stirling for over 40 years," added John Ramshay from Yorkshire. "I am highly delighted, it would have been a complete disaster if it had to shut down."