CRITICISM of the car show on Tavistock's Bedford Square during the Lion's carnival week have prompted a rethink of the booking system operated by the town council.
Councillors at last week's finance committee meeting heard some members of the public were unhappy to see the paved area used as a showcase for car traders.
Cllr Norma Woodcock said it was 'perverse in the extreme' and 'totally inappropriate' to hold a car show on the square, considering parking spaces were lost in the area as a result of last year's enhancement scheme.
She said councillors should have been told what the Lions had hired to go in the square. 'I found it horrendously embarrassing,' she said.
Mayor Judith Williams said: 'When we agreed to be licensee we thought it was just taking a booking, but because of events that happened, we have to begin to look very closely at how the square is booked.'
Cllr Williams said many people were offended to see cars parked on the square.
'My phone burned blisters down my ear,' she said.
The square booking forms have been amended to make sure users of the square realise access to the town hall and paths across the square must be kept clear.
The committee agreed that details of any sub-letting should also be made clear to the council before bookings are confirmed.