A BIG thumbs up has been given by businesses in Tavistock to a high-powered scheme to boost trade — and the town as a whole.

The decision to take part in the innovative Towns Alive scheme came when 150 people attended last Wednesday's presentation in the town hall — not a single hand was raised in opposition to joining the programme.

Marketing expert Graham Vallis said he had no 'magic wand' to regenerate Tavistock, but the programme worked to great effect in the nine or ten towns which have already embraced the scheme.

He said after initial research carried out by his company there would be a seven-week series of meetings open to all Tavistock businesses to generate ideas.

As a result, a 'massive amount of information' would be collated which could take individual businesses and consequently the town forward.

Sue Spackman, of Crookes and Spackman, was applauded after she said: 'I think this evening has been an absolute delight.

'It will be wonderful to have somebody who is a total outsider to show us what we can do — the funding is there, we have nothing to lose as a town.'

Mrs Spackman said by working together businesses might be able to put Tavistock on a new footing, though she stressed it was important the town retained its character.

Mr Vallis was invited to present his Towns Alive programme by Tavistock Forward.

John Taylor, joint-chair, said: 'I was very pleased so many people came, and I thought it was a good cross-section of businesses with quite a few new faces.

'It all seemed pretty positive — providing we get the funding it should be all systems go, starting in June.'

Ann Valmarana, of Goode's Café, said: 'I thought it was excellent. It was very good to sit there and hear such positive comments.

'It's particularly good that all kinds of commercial interests in the town can get together and put all the ideas into a big pot.

'He doesn't know anyone here, he has no axe to grind — he made it patently clear he wasn't going to be a referee which I thought was absolutely marvellous.'

Mrs Valmarana said Tavistock had been through so many changes the programme might bring forward a period of consolidation.

Kevin Bryant, of Bryant and Murray Interior Furnishers, said: 'I think something needs to be done in Tavistock. It was a good meeting, it was objective and could be good for the town, but I think every single person was concerned how much it's going to cost.'

Roger James, vice-chair of Tavistock Action Group and Market Traders' Federation representative, said: 'I thought it was very good. I'm going to go for the whole programme. I think it could be an advantage to a lot of people — quite a few of the market traders thought it was good too.'

David Inman, deputy chief executive at West Devon Borough Council, said: 'Arising from the decision they wanted to do it, we will make an application to the European card fund. There is a community fund which has just been set up which we will obviously now formally approach.'

He said the borough will also be contributing to funds.

'There is no intention, certainly not at this stage, that any business will need to make their own contribution,' he added.

Mr Inman hoped the application for funding should be 'sorted out' by the beginning of May.