I OPENED up my shop, Treasured Forever, on Tuesday morning at 9am.  There was refuse from the above flats left out for collection surrounding my shop door. On most occasions this is not a problem as it is collected by 9.30am.  On this Tuesday at 1pm the refuse still sat outside.  I called DDC, who filed a report, but they informed me that there were still a few working hours for the truck to pick it up and I should call back next day if it was still there. Retail life on the high street is tough and I do not believe it is helped by poorly executed council services.   Tavistock is a pretty town.  It houses a lot of very individual and interesting businesses. That day it was not pretty. That day it was embarassing. If I was a first time visitor, I wouldn't come back or have anything pleasant to say.   I hope the council reviews its policies on refuse collection on the high street sooner rather than later.   I am positive my business was affected on Tuesday by this apathy towards Tavistock high street retailers.   Alison Bickell Tavistock