A DATE for the popular Dickensian Evening in Tavistock has already been set for this coming December by the town's chamber of commerce.
Last year's event broke with tradition, when it was held on the first Friday in December, instead of the second.
Following the change, the chamber, which organises the annual late-shopping evening, undertook a consultation with shops and businesses in the centre of Tavistock.
Of the 44 responses received, 27 were in favour of the earlier date, ten preferred the later date and the remainder expressed no preference.
As a result of the clear preference for an earlier date, the chamber unanimously voted to hold this year's Dickensian Evening on Friday, December 6.
Philip Hartnoll, acting chairman of the chamber, said: 'A lot of traders had commented that having Dickensian Evening early meant people still had money in their pockets to spend that evening.
'The chamber will be hoping to repeat the success of Dickensian Evening 2001 in 2002.'