ASTONISHINGLY there are residents of Tavistock who still do not know about the hidden gem that is Paddon’s Row, which hosts a plethora of shops offering everything from antiques to clothes and property.

The arcade off the main high street at Brook Street with its olde-worlde atmosphere is a shoppers’ paradise but one of Tavistock’s undiscovered treasures.

Some businesses like Brigid Foley have been there for many years establishing a strong customer base for its quality clothing, others like Decodent vintage shop and Mime Café are more recent additions.

David Hamley of Decodent said: ‘It’s a very different experience having a business here than on the high street as we are tucked way.

‘We feel very much part of our own little area here, it has a great community feel and I have recently set up a Facebook page so we can interact with each other and our customers.

‘We would like more people to know about us though. The number of businesses here go into double figures and we would love more people to come and see what we have to offer.’

Manager of Tavistock BID (Business Improvement District) Janna Sanders said: Paddons Row has a lovely range of traders from barbers to beauty salons and clothes. It is a part of Tavistock definitely worth exploring.’

Paddows Row was redeveloped in 1984 but originally part of it was the yard and stables for the White Hart pub which is now the Oggy Oggy Pasty Shop.