AN attempt to delay a decision to allow Sunday trading in Tavistock Pannier Market was rejected by town councillors last week.

The town's properties committee had recommended a trial run of Sunday opening in the market be accepted, following a request by the new market reeve.

But some councillors at last week's meeting were uneasy about the decision, and mayor Norma Woodcock read a letter from a Lamerton resident, urging a

rethink.

Cllr Roger Mathew said the council's best value review of the market revealed a general disinterest in Sunday opening — this seemed inconsistent with the recommendation by the properties committee.

Cllr Mathew said: 'I am not closing my mind to it, although I personally would prefer to see Monday trading up and running first, but until I see this inconsistency addressed, I cannot support this.'

Cllr Mathew proposed the issue should be referred back to the properties committee.

Cllr Pat Warne said she understood

Sunday had become a normal shopping day for many people but she was concerned at the pressure this put on shopkeepers to open.

She felt the trial period should be restricted to summer months only.

And Cllr Marjorie Corner said she felt 'considerable unease' about the issue.

But Cllr Peter Donkin, chairman of the properties committee, said if the market was open on Sundays, different traders would be attracted to use it, not necessarily those who responded to the best value survey.

He said the length of trial period would test the viability of Sunday opening better than if the trial was only held for a short time.

Cllr Judith Williams thought the pannier market was flexible enough for Sunday opening to work.

She said: 'This is an opportunity for people running charities to have tables. I think we have to try this and see how it goes.'

And Cllr David Stapleton was 'astonished' there were objections to the idea.

He said: 'It seems perfectly sensible — really we should be endorsing the enthusiasm of the market reeve.'

Roger Howard, town clerk, told members that filling 20 tables on a Sunday was not a problem.

'I understand from the reeve there is considerable interest — he has quite a waiting list of people who want to come,' said Col Howard.

The council agreed the market should be open for a trial period on two Sundays at the end of July, every Sunday in August and the first two in September.

Further Sunday opening will be organised during the last two weeks of November and the first four Sundays in December.