Set in the heart of Bakewell, amid the rolling hills of the Derbyshire Dales, the District Council's Agricultural Business Centre (ABC) is the ideal venue for meetings, conferences, craft fairs, exhibitions and training workshops.
The hub of the Peak rural economy, the ABC is the venue for a host of regular events including the popular farmers' market and weekly livestock markets.
Business office opening times
- Monday: 8:00am to 4:00pm
- Tuesday: 8:00am to 4:00pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am to 4:00pm
- Thursday: 8:00am to 4:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am to 3:30pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Bakewell Farmers' Market
Bakewell Farmers' Market flyer 2024 [PDF 8MB]
2024 dates
- 27th January
- 24th February
- 30th March
- 27th April
- 25th May
- 29th June
- 27th July
- 31st August
- 28th September
- 26th October
- 30th November
- 21st December
Generally held on the last Saturday of every month, the District Council's popular Bakewell Farmers' Market attracts many 1,000s of visitors.
The ABC is not only recognised as one of the UK's top livestock markets, it has one of the largest farmers' markets in the area.
With many 1,000s of events, conferences and meetings staged since it opened and 75 livestock auctions a year involving 300,000 animals, the ABC is a thriving operation and a true 'one-stop shop' service for the rural community.
Room hire and conferences
With livestock markets taking place every week, together with additional monthly sales, the ABC is very much a working environment. On these days, the place bustles with activity and this can form an interesting backdrop to a variety of events.
Visitors can view the bidding for cattle from special galleries above the main auction rings or observe the selling of smaller livestock under the unique marquee effect roof of the sheep and calf penning areas.
The Conference Room
The Conference Room can seat up to 60 people cabaret style or 100 theatre style and is ideal for conferences, large meetings, promotional events, training workshops and lectures.
The Meeting Room
The Meeting Room can seat 10 people boardroom style. It is ideal for inter-departmental meetings, small seminars, job interviews and training workshops.
The Concourse and outside patio area
The Concourse and Outside Patio Area are also available for hire and provide an exciting and expansive space for a multitude of events, able to accommodate large vehicles, display stands, machinery and equipment and are ideal for trade exhibitions and displays.
On livestock market days hire of small areas of the Concourse is available to display agricultural products and equipment - an excellent way to promote products.
More information
Whiteboards, flip charts and multi-media projector are available for use and the Conference Room has the extra benefits of an audio loop system, plus:
- Wi-Fi available
- Full disabled access
- 400 car parking spaces and 15 coach bays
- Free parking for conference delegates
- Advertise your business on our media screens
- The ABC has a large cafe/restaurant and bar. Food & drink can be provided to suit individual requirements.
To book a room please email
Parking at the ABC
There is plentiful parking available at the ABC with 400 car parking spaces and 15 coach bays. The postcode for Sat Navs is DE45 1AH.
There is provision for free parking for conference delegates.
The car park, which, like the ABC is operated by Derbyshire Dales District Council, is only a short walk from Bakewell's excellent town centre.
Parking is available to the general public on a pay and display basis.
Regular events
The ABC hosts several regular events throughout the year.
These include:
- High Peak Bantam Show
- Blood Donor Sessions
- Bakewell Funfair and Carnival
- Bakewell Country Festival
- British Wildfowl Decoy Show
- Farmers Harvest Festival
- Bakewell Farmers Market
- Craft Fairs
- Model Railway Exhibitions
- Bakewell Wool Gathering
The centre has an extensive range of facilities and an excellent location.
Livestock Market
Bagshaws of Bakewell operate the Livestock Markets at the District Council's ABC.
A list of livestock market dates is available on Bagshaws website.
The opening of the ABC allows Bagshaws to mix the traditional and the modern, putting over 130 years of experience in livestock auctioneering into operation in superb up to date premises.
In a typical year around 200,000 sheep and 40,000 cattle and calves sell through Bakewell Market.
The facilities at the ABC are second to none with cattle and sheep pens and sale rings all under one roof together with offices, a cafe and conference facilities and even a drop-in medical clinic for farmers.
The town centre is only a short walk from the market.
