BUSINESSES on Tavistock's Plymouth Road Industrial Estate say a new supermarket on the former Focus DIY store site would revitalise the area.

The businesses say there has been a dramatic loss of trade since Focus moved from the top of the industrial estate to a site fronting the main road — the store closed when Focus collapsed nationally a year ago.

Now they are calling on West Devon Borough Councillors to support any proposal for a supermarket on the site.

In an email to councillors, ten businesses say trade has become 'almost non-existent' since the Focus closure.

The ten say they understand there is a 'real possibility of a quality supermarket' occupying the former Focus site. The Times was unable to confirm that this was the case.

They add: 'This would bring huge benefits to our businesses and create a total of up to 100 jobs on the estate.

'Many people, especially those from outlying villages, are no longer coming to shop in Tavistock, and we feel that a quality supermarket would help draw them back to the town.

'Our fear is that unless this wonderful opportunity is grasped now, the premises could be empty for a long time and drag down both our businesses and the town.'

Planning permission was granted by the borough council last July to divide the site into two units but did not carry conditions from the original Focus approval, and that meant the way was still open for a supermarket application to be lodged.

The businesses are concerned that the council may now apply for a judicial review to overturn the planning decision made last July so that the conditions could be restored, a move that would block the way for a supermarket on the site.

Martin Hawkins, who runs Tavistock Picture Framing on the industrial estate, one of the ten firms who have raised concerns, said they understood that the statutory timescale for judicial review applications was three months.

As eight months had now elapsed they believed it was 'a very risky strategy to follow, with horrendous financial consequences' should the case be lost.

'We understand that officers are proceeding with preparatory work and that a final decision will be made on May 15,' he said.

A spokesman for the borough council stressed that no decision had yet been made on seeking a judicial review and that the issue would form part of council discussions at the meeting on May 15.

The spokesman added: 'The council recognises and acknowledges the concerns and aspirations of some of the traders on the Plymouth Road Industrial Estate. It does, however, have a duty to ensure that the needs and interests of all local businesses and the general public are taken into account when making decisions on land and property usage.

'The council commissioned a retail study which is due to report by May 7 and the conclusions of this will help to shape the future plans for Tavistock.

'As far as the Focus site is concerned the council has made no decision on the current planning issues. Following receipt of the retail study report on May 7, a report will go to full council on May 15 which will allow members to consider the options.'

Chairman of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce Nigel Eadie said he was surprised that some of the businesses on the estate would be in favour of a supermarket occupying the site.

He believed it was 'completely the wrong site' for a supermarket: 'The provision for supermarkets is already adequately covered by Morrisons and Lidl. Any development of that kind would be a retrograde step for the town.'

Mr Eadie said the chamber, with support from residents and local businesses, fought successfully to stop a nearby site from being developed for a supermarket three years ago.

He also expressed concern over the amount of congestion that would result on the main road into the industrial estate if a supermarket were to be developed there.

'What the town really needs is a decent DIY store, it is a shame Focus had to go,' he added.