Yard closing!

[abbijay]

I have been on the same livery yard for 12 years and they have just served notice to all of us (circa 25 horses). They are giving up and renting it out to a rehab yard. We have 28 days to move off.

 

[ihatework]

Ooof, that’s a slightly shitty notice period for good long term liveries, even if they are within their rights to do so

 

[Tiddlypom]

Oh no, what an awful shock for you all .

 

[94lunagem]

Oh no that's awful news. And not a huge amount of time for that many people to find other options.

Have you had chance to think where you might go?

 

[Sealine]

Oh no that sounds very stressful. I hope you find somewhere suitable soon. The only piece of advice I can offer is to use your friends and influence asap. If you have a friend on a local yard enquire for vacancies through your friend and/or mention your friend when enquiring direct. Yard owners prefer to take on liveries on personal recommendation from an existing livery. I wish I could help but I'm the wrong end of the country.

 

[ycbm]

I have been on the same livery yard for 12 years and they have just served notice to all of us (circa 25 horses). They are giving up and renting it out to a rehab yard. We have 28 days to move off.

Damn, that's short notice! . There were DiY vacancies being advertised here (congleton equestrian facebook) by 2 places recently

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and Pump House often have space DiY and full. Care is very good, arenas good, turnout is as good as you'll get but hacking is a very bad road, though good places to go nearby.

 

[SantaVera]

I feel so sorry for you and others in your position. It's a rotten thing to happen and the notice period is short. I hope you find somewhere nice very soon to move to.

 

[fredflop]

That’s a little short notice from the yard and rather unfair

 

[Rowreach]

That's a ridiculously short period. I gave mine 6 months and felt guilty enough about that.

 

[Annagain]

I feel for you - we recently moved as our yard is on the market. The owners were happy for us to stay as long as they were there and are marketing it as a going concern but there was always the risk the new owners wouldn't want us. Somewhere came up that suited us and it seemed sensible to jump before we were pushed so we weren't looking at the same time as everyone else. We'd been at the old place 20 years so I really miss it (and it still hasn't sold) but the new place is good too so there is hope! Wishing you lots of luck in finding somewhere.

 

[Tarragon]

That notice period is unkind! How stressful for you all.
They must have been aware of their plans for months, and to not give long-term liveries adequate time to find new livery is just plain selfish.
It will be difficult for the remaining local livery yards to absorb 25 horses!
I do feel for you and cross on your behalf!

 

[Rowreach]

I feel for you - we recently moved as our yard is on the market. The owners were happy for us to stay as long as they were there and are marketing it as a going concern but there was always the risk the new owners wouldn't want us. Somewhere came up that suited us and it seemed sensible to jump before we were pushed so we weren't looking at the same time as everyone else. We'd been at the old place 20 years so I really miss it (and it still hasn't sold) but the new place is good too so there is hope! Wishing you lots of luck in finding somewhere.

That's the risk of giving plenty of notice, and something I found when some of mine left more or less straight away, as it leaves you with a depleted income but still having bills to pay. I had several though who all stayed till the end and then all went to another yard together.

 

[Annagain]

Yes - 5 of us went together to a yard that closed a few years before and was being reopened by the new owner so it was a big hit for our old YOs. We felt terrible but it was right for us. I couldn't have moved Archie at 29 years old and very much bottom of the pack if he had had to integrate with a new herd. Moving with all his buddies to field with them and only them was the only way we could do it.

 

[DressageCob]

Gosh that's not much time at all. Whereabouts in Cheshire are you? I know of some vacancies near me.

 

[Wishfilly]

28 days is such a short notice period- even if they're allowed to, it seems unlikely 25 of you will all find solutions in that time. Realistically, what can they do/are they going to do if you overstay?

I hope you're able to find something suitable- it may be worth a wanted post on Facebook, as sometimes you'll find places come up that don't advertise. I'd also reach out to your whole horsey network, but of course everyone on the yard will be doing the same.

I agree giving a very long notice is tricky for the yard, but there must be a reasonable middle ground here?

 

[Equi]

So many yards are closing this year it makes me worry for the future of horse owners. I hope you and the others are able to find somewhere.

 

[blitznbobs]

Tbh everyone I know who has liveries is looking for a way to get rid of them at the moment - it’s one thing I said I wouldn’t have when i set up my new yard … nothing you do for them is ever good enough … it’s probably just the bad few but they do make a yard owner’s life a misery… not worth the stress

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Tbh everyone I know who has liveries is looking for a way to get rid of them at the moment - it’s one thing I said I wouldn’t have when i set up my new yard … nothing you do for them is ever good enough … it’s probably just the bad few but they do make a yard owner’s life a misery… not worth the stress

what an unnecessary contribution to this thread.

 

[Fire sign]

I have been on the same livery yard for 12 years and they have just served notice to all of us (circa 25 horses). They are giving up and renting it out to a rehab yard. We have 28 days to move off.

Which yard is this Abbi Jay ? So many good yards have closed in Cheshire now ..

28 days notice .

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

OP my yard which I’ve been on 14 years is also closing it’s absolutely devastating so I really feel for you Fortunately we’ve been given 6 months to find places although initially it was apparently one month. Those of us with two horses are especially struggling to find anywhere that is practical and affordable. I’ve reserved one DIY space for my older horse but my youngster who I was going to send for training had colic surgery last week so I now have two months of rehab before I can do anything with him.

I would see if you can have a conversation about the practicalities of moving within the timeframe currently given.

 

[Fjord]

That's not much notice, how mean of the owners, 28 days isn't very long at all. I hope you can find something soon.

 

[Melody Grey]

That’s poor form with the notice period, how stressful! It’s unlikely a rehab yard will instantly fill 25 boxes, especially if it’s a new business venture or expansion. Could you find out who is taking it on and see if you can stay a while? May even help them with a bit of short term revenue?

 

[Merry neddy man]

Have a look on w w w . l i v e r y l i s t . c o . u k and w w w . l i v e r y y a r d s. c o m sorry have to space it out or tfc blocks it, even though I am no way connected with either of them.

 

[abbijay]

Thanks for all the support. I was in shock yesterday and just needed to get it off my chest in a world where people would “get it”.
I am in a much better position than many as my parents own a field at their house and it’s the right time of year to turn him out. It’s not that close, there are no facilities and my parents are completely non-horsey but at least Ace won’t be homeless.
It is unfortunately typical of the owner to only give us the contractual minimum notice and his expectation is that we should all be very happy for him and his new venture. I was on the yard 2 hours before we were informed by a blanket email and they didn’t have the courtesy to speak to anyone about this. The staff had 30 minutes notice over us that they are losing their jobs! It could have been managed with so much more tact and empathy and very little impact on revenue but that pretty much sums up how they’ve always ran the yard.

 

[scats]

Im so sorry to hear that. Its such a shame you are not nearer me as we maybe looking for a couple of more liveries to come to us.

I hope you can get something sorted.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Sorry to hear of your predicament OP. I've just been given notice as well, it stinks. Frantically trying to think of places to contact, not many round here and the only big yard is one I really really don't want to move to!

 

[Ossy2]

Which yard is this Abbi Jay ? So many good yards have closed in Cheshire now ..

28 days notice .

Smallwood livery I believe

 

[Tiddlypom]

Really to hear this, and with such short notice . That’s really poor form. Not sure if it’s the OP’s yard, but Smallwood Livery is closing to liveries. Can’t share their FB post, but this was put on the Smallwood Livery Centre FB page yesterday.

So staying open, but ditching the liveries. It’s a nice yard, too.

ALL CHANGE AT SMALLWOOD.
Today we announced to our liveries that after 25 years, Sarah and I are to close our horse livery side of the business.
However we are not ceasing horses at Smallwood just evolving and will post full details of the exciting new adventure early next week on what's happening.
****** PLEASE NOTE ******
OUR CROSS COUNTRY COURSE, COMPETITIONS AND HAYLAGE PRODUCTION AND SALES ARE CONTINUING FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
We have not closed entirely and look forward soon to opening the XC for schooling. Thank you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thanks for all the support. I was in shock yesterday and just needed to get it off my chest in a world where people would “get it”.
I am in a much better position than many as my parents own a field at their house and it’s the right time of year to turn him out. It’s not that close, there are no facilities and my parents are completely non-horsey but at least Ace won’t be homeless.
It is unfortunately typical of the owner to only give us the contractual minimum notice and his expectation is that we should all be very happy for him and his new venture. I was on the yard 2 hours before we were informed by a blanket email and they didn’t have the courtesy to speak to anyone about this. The staff had 30 minutes notice over us that they are losing their jobs! It could have been managed with so much more tact and empathy and very little impact on revenue but that pretty much sums up how they’ve always ran the yard.

I bet you will look back in a year's time and think "Thank goodness we left that place". It is stressful as it happens though.

 

[ycbm]

Smallwood livery I believe.