A café in Bedford Square is just what is needed to use the space in some way that will benefit everyone. Since the alteration to the square was completed it has been crying out for a café/wine bar, tables, umbrellas and the like. Does the town council want to attract visitors or not?
As for elderly people tripping over chairs — there are pavement cafés in many successful market towns and they do not appear to have that problem, so it does not seem to be insurmountable.
If pedestrian safety has suddenly become such an issue, perhaps thinking back to what crossing the old road used to be like may put it in some sort of perspective. After living through that, negotiating a few tables and chairs should be relatively easy.
It is time that the community made full use of what could be an excellent facility rather than continuing to try to live in the past.
Mr and Mrs N Harper
Townlake
I WAS very disturbed with what was on the front page regarding Bedford Square.
After all the controversy we have had over the last 12 months or so I think it is time something was really done about it.
The idea of having an outdoor cafe is ridiculous from start to finish.
We have two cafes now: one in Brook Street with tables and chairs filling the widened footpath on fine days. Dukes, in the pannier market, have filled the forecourt outside their cafe. Pedestrians have to get along between tables, chairs and other obstructions to get through or go on the road.
There is no need for a cafe on the square. Lets bring back the coaches with their passengers,who spent their money, which kept the shops open or else other shops will close. We want people to come to Tavistock so let's do something to get them here.
The farmers are well catered for in the cattle market and there is no need for them to come to the square.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to express my views. Born and bred and lived in Tavistock all my life, now 95 years old, I want to see the best for Tavistock, not a cafe in the square.
W C Tucker
11 Armada Court
Ransum Way
Tavistock
THOSE responsible for it may not like to admit it, but most of us know the simple truth: the new-look Bedford Square is a sterile disaster.
So I greeted last week's front page and its proposal for a busy farmers' market and an open-air cafe (run by someone with a proven track record) as a sign that at last somebody had seen sense. I should have known better.
In the same article I see that the doom merchants are busy. Is Cllr Williams serious when she moans about traffic fumes and people tripping over chairs? She must really hate Paris!
Cllr Woodcock likes the idea of a farmers' market but doesn't want to put it where its actually needed. Doesn't it all make you want to weep with anger and frustration?
Will Smith
Townlake