A TURBO boost to Tavistock's economy is on offer from a marketing expert aiming to put the town in the business fast lane.

The move comes through an exciting marketing programme worth thousands of pounds.

More than 40 people packed the Portrait Room in the Bedford Hotel last week to hear marketing consultant Graham Vallis outline his Towns Alive programme — aimed at bolstering trade in places like Tavistock.

Mr Vallis said he had already completed his programmes in nine other towns. One, in Lincolnshire, is now applying for a £38-million funding package.

'It came about because businesses really showed they wanted to help themselves and help their town,' he said.

Mr Vallis explained the Town Alive programme used extensive market research, provided by his company, and a concentrated programme of meetings over a two-month period during which businesses discussed ideas and learned more about marketing themselves and the town.

He said, when he first went to a town, he often found 'a lot of good ideas, some posturing, and a lot of historical baggage'.

'What I am about is looking at information and making rational decisions,' said Mr Vallis.

'You can't force people into partnership. I am trying to get people involved because they want to be involved.'

He said close attention should be paid to the type of people that came to Tavistock, their age, their income, their motives.

Mr Vallis revealed there were nearly twice the national average of high-income families living in and around Tavistock and, not surprisingly, five times the average amount of country dwellers.

'Is the town offering the things that these people want?' he asked.

'I haven't got a magic wand — I am simply saying in seven weeks let's work together, get some ideas generated and let's see what we can come up with.'

The presentation was arranged by Tavistock Forward, with initial funding from West Devon Borough Council.

David Inman, borough council's deputy chief executive, was optimistic grants for the programme could be obtained from Europe.

'We think it's a pretty good shot. We could have a decision by April 1 — it's a fast-track fund,' he said.

Mr Inman said the information made available on the programme would be invaluable to traders in addition to boosting the town as a whole.

'It's actually worth a lot of money — there's a lot of information that would very much help people in running their own business,' he said.

John Taylor, joint chairman of Tavistock Forward, said he was 'very pleased indeed' with the way the meeting went.

'It's a wonderful opportunity — it's up to the town if they want to take it forward.'

He is hoping hundreds of people will attend the meeting on March 22, when Mr Vallis will explain the scheme to boost the town. More than 400 invitations are being sent out.

He said, although the programme is primarily aimed at businesses and traders, any group or individual is welcome to attend because the town as a whole would ultimately benefit.

'Anyone who wants to can come along,' he said.

The meeting will be held in the town hall at 6pm.