NATIONAL retailers who trade in the town have been criticised for failing to get involved in Tavistock in Bloom. The town council is taking part in the chamber of commerce hanging basket initiative and has put out 30 around the pannier market and Guildhall Square. However, at last week?s property committee meeting Cllr Mandy Govier felt some national retailers could do more. ?They will not support what is going on in the town. It seems to be the family run independent shops that are always putting their hands in their pockets, but not the national retailers,? said Cllr Govier. ?They benefit from the town accolades we have won. They should put their hand in their pockets for these hanging baskets and the Christmas lights. ?It is such a shame that national retailers will not get on board with things in the local town where they are making their money.? Cllr Alison Clish-Green wondered if anyone from the council had written to the companies asking them to specifically contribute to the hanging baskets. She suggested writing to the half a dozen national retailers in Tavistock. ?We could ask if they were prepared to sponsor any hanging baskets or a roundabout because a lot of other towns do that and it looks good.? Town mayor Caroline Keane praised the efforts of the chamber of commerce. ?They are doing their very best. They are turning this into a very enthusiastic initiative,? she said. Committe chairman Ian Andrews said the council would like to put out another ten baskets and Cllr Keane woundered if it was possible to place them on the bridge.
