VIEWS on how to support the small independent retailers in Tavistock and Okehampton have been sought by West Devon and Torridge MP, Geoffrey Cox. Mr Cox, who represents the south west on the Conservative Party Parliamentary Commission into small shops in the high street, wrote to chambers of commerce, business organisations and retailers. He is particularly asking local business people and independent retailers to tell him their experiences of the town planning system and how it can be improved. Mr Cox said: 'The diversity and prosperity of small independent shops in our market towns is critical to the identity and to the well-being of our local communities. 'The commission is hearing evidence and receiving submissions from a huge range of national organisations and retailer associations but I regularly hear from local shopkeepers of ways in which they think the commercial climate could be improved for them.'
