A NEW team with a vision of making a section of Tavistock’s high street a popular and fun shopping destination has been formed.

Brook Street Traders Association (BSTA) was formed last month with the idea of improving the business environment and experience of Brook Street, including Paddons Row and Market Street.

And one item on its ‘to do’ list was what could be done to improve the disused former Old Folk’s Rest Room.

Linda Walker, owner of A Scent-Sation, has worked on Brook Street for more than 20 years and decided to set up the BSTA.

‘Over the last few years, people from around the town have spoken with me about several issues; personal and business alike. While feeling very honoured, I recently became increasingly concerned — mostly about traders’ comments regarding footfall on Brook Street.’

Linda sent out 60 letters inviting them to BSTA’s inaugural meeting in August and 35 people turned up.

During the meeting it was recognised by business owners that the section of high street in question was ‘in need of improvement’ to make it more attractive to visitors.

‘Everyone was like minded and passionate to promote Brook Street, Paddons Row and Market Street as a destination and a shopping experience,’ said Linda.

‘We now have a team which consists of four volunteers who will co-ordinate efforts and ideas put forward by members.

‘We are not a committee as we are not elected, we are just people who are passionate about the high street and our businesses. We are free to join and we want to work with all organisations in the town. We are not asking for money, we are just asking for support.

‘Our aim is to constantly enhance the visual impact of Brook Street and help to improve the trading environment.’

The group plans to explore possibilities for holding various street events; address issues with Brook Street Car Park; to change Christmas lights to classic white and for signage to be placed in the windows of empty shops to advertise local businesses and events.

It also aims to have bunting all year round to make the street ‘more distinctive’ and to have winter hanging baskets.

Another target for the group is over the future of the rest room on Brook Street. It hopes to put together a proposal for Tavistock Town Council about the building with a view to refitting it to house a mini artisan market or similar.

‘The old people’s rest room is an eyesore. We want it to be an artisan or a pop-up market. We are encouraging people to come to this town and then we have something like that that sticks out like a sore thumb.’

Linda added: ‘I went into retail 48 years ago and have witnessed many changes and I am sure that there is a wealth of knowledge that I would like to share with my fellow traders and hopefully, vice versa.

‘We are independent and are happy to work alongside all other community organisations — it is about us standing together, putting our thinking caps on and coming up with viable solutions.

‘Whether you are a retailer or not, it’s about Brook Street and customers.’

BSTA meets every Wednesday with the aim to hold a general meeting in the New Year for all traders on Brook Street, Paddons Row and Market Street who are members of the association.

‘We are inviting all of the traders on Brook Street, Paddons Row and Market Street to be members so that we can promote the areas as a shopping experience and a destination to come to,’added Linda.

A suggestion book is being circulated for businesses affected to give the team any feedback and ideas.

For more information visit www.brookstreettraders.co.uk where members of the public and businesses can take part in its survey or visit BSTA’s Facebook page — Brook Street Traders.