TAVISTOCK'S historic Bedford Square could be transformed into a bustling continental-style piazza with an open-air cafe and market.

The idea, which went before Tavistock Town Council this week, follows concern that the redeveloped square lacks a focal point.

Lisa Hair, of Dukes Coffee House, has asked the council for permission to run the café from her new take-away outlet in the corner of the pannier market.

She said: 'Tavistock deserves a quality operation in the square, to enhance it and attract visitors to stop, shop and enjoy our town.'

And environmental group WestDEN wants to hold a pilot farmers' market on a Saturday, possibly around the end of June.

Nathan Sanders, of WestDEN's sustainable food project, said: 'We have had quite a lot of positive feedback — people we have spoken to are very much in favour of a farmers' market on the square — it's something they would like to see, a good use of it.'

He anticipated producers from a 30-mile radius of Tavistock would come to the market. He hoped it would attract shoppers and generate more trade for local businesses.

But town councillor Judith Williams on Tuesday said she could see 'no particular benefit' in a pavement café.

'If cars and coaches looked awful then so will this — there is also a problem with pedestrian safety,' she said.

Cllr Williams thought elderly people might trip over chairs and she thought fumes from queued up traffic would discourage café patrons.

She was also doubtful about a farmers' market in the square.

'It sounds a great idea but I would prefer it to be in the actual confines of the pannier market itself,' she said.

She said if it was not done properly it would look 'tatty' and said more information was needed.

Cllr Williams said she was still not in favour of the new-look square and felt most people wanted to see the area altered.

Cllr Norma Woodcock said there were more possibilities for the square since the changes, but stressed tenders should be invited as far as a café was concerned.

'There is an extreme difference between having parked coaches and people sitting at tables drinking tea, looking at our beautiful square and making the town look busy.

'There's a big difference between something that's living and active and dead vehicles,' she said.

But Cllr Woodcock had 'strong reservations' about a farmers' market — she felt the pannier market was the best location and did not want to put town traders at a disadvantage.

Cllr Ted Sherrell recommended a meeting with Mrs Hair. Although he opposed the square enhancement, he said the reality now was that it was there. 'We appear to have acres of patio devoid of feature and purpose.'

He supported a farmers' market in the square, but not specifically for organic produce.

'It should be open to all local producers on a first-come, first-served basis,' he said.

Cllr Caroline Keane said it would be 'exciting' to have a farmers' market in the square, and 'in keeping' with its aspirations.

'It would be good if this market encouraged people to take up stalls in the pannier market as a result,' she added.

Councillors agreed a one-off pilot farmers' market could be held by WestDEN this summer.

They will meet Mrs Hair and any other interested businesses to discuss further details including storage, electricity, tendering and the operational arrangements of running an open air café.