LATER opening hours in the pannier market on the run-up to Christmas could be on the cards, following a request to the town council from Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID).

Town clerk Carl Hearn asked councillors to consider the request, after consultation with market traders.

Cllr David Whitcomb said he 'knew for a fact' that based on previous experience when the market had been open for late night shopping, traders would not be keen on the idea.

'We were sitting in the middle of the market, eating fish and chips, and not a soul came in,' he said.

But the request sparked a question from Cllr Brian Trew regarding BID:?'Why are we not permitted to have a copy of their minutes? We have a lot of input financially — surely these minutes aren't that secret? It seems wrong to me.'

Cllr Harry Smith said he thought there was now more feedback from BID than there had been originally.

Mr Hearn said BID had made an 'executive decision' regarding circulation of its minutes, and the town council was not being treated differently to any other BID members.

'It's a matter for them how they treat their minutes,' he said.

Traders will be consulted regarding the request and their response will then be considered by the council in due course.