Robert Addison, the managing director of Scots Gap Auction Mart in Morpeth, said the closure was "very sad", but it's "a bit of realism" after a recent struggle for stock numbers to attract prospective buyers. Owned alongside Hexham Auction Mart under the Hexham and Northern Marts name, Scots Gap was known for holding weekly sales of prime sheep. There is "hope", Robert added, that the closure will "centralise" sales and prompt more buyers to come to Hexham Auction Mart. You need numbers to attract buyers, and buyers to attract stock. Currently, around 2,000 to 2,500 sheep are being put forward at Hexham each week, while just 350 to 380 are coming through Scots Gap, Robert added.