SUPPORT for improved lighting at The Wharf was given by Tavistock town councillors last week, who recommended to approve a grant application by the arts and music venue for £8,500.

Members of the council's finance and general purposes committee said the plan to install LED lighting as part of an overall improvement scheme at The Wharf was a 'fantastic step forward' and should be supported.

But there was some concern whether more money should be given to the venture, as cash had already been granted by the borough and town council to support it over the years.

The majority of members were enthusiastic and determined to help an organisation which brought entertainment to the community and meant people did not need to travel elsewhere.

Cllr Mandy Ewings said since the management had changed, the current owners had not 'had a single penny' from any authority.

'I support the Wharf's application for grant funding because I think, more and more, that we need places like this that are local,' she said.

'We have a growing population of elderly people who are able to attend the Wharf for entertainment — this venue serves this purpose and it is very versatile.

'It is becoming more a venue for all ages which it was not before, and we need to encourage this sort of community development.'

Cllr David Whitcomb said he still felt The Wharf was a venue for a selective audience: 'The Wharf has been going for many, many years and both West Devon Borough Council and this council put quite a lot of money into this organisation.

'I am a little bit worried about what we should put in in the future.'

A suggestion was made by Cllr John Sheldon to give the venue — described as a multi-functional non-profit making organisation — a lesser grant of £3,000, as he felt the full grant was 'a little excessive' for the town council, but this was not supported.

Mayor Harry Smith said a considerable effort was being made to reduce the carbon footprint of the venue by converting all the lighting at the arts centre to LED.

The Wharf has a fundraising target of £70,000 which has included the cost of a digital projector which is now up and running.

'The aim is to increase the seating capacity from 200 to 600 eventually which will be a real benefit to the town,' said Cllr Smith.

Cllr Anne Johnson said an awful lot of people travelled a long way to go to The Wharf: 'When you get 400 people in there standing, it is pretty buzzing,' she said.

Cllr Dick Eberlie said The Wharf had had its problems in the past but what was being proposed was a sensible, practical solution.

'I hope it will widen its audience and give it a new lease of life which is what we all want to see,' he said.

The grant application decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday evening.