FEBRUARY 14 may be St Valentine's Day — but it will also be the last time the old folks of Tavistock meet in their 50-year-old rest room unless a notice to quit the building is revoked.

Despite the building's owner, Hunstrete Estates Limited, losing its appeal to demolish the rest room last week, it has not withdrawn the legal notice served upon the rest room committee to leave the premises by February 22.

The rest room will relocate for a short period of time to the Anchorage Centre, adjacent to the bus station, with effect from Wednesday, February 18.

This is while planning consent is sought with the aim of moving to a new centre at Court Gate in the centre of Tavistock, which is owned by the town council.

The final meeting in the Brook Street premises will take place on February 14.

Committee chairperson Yvonne Meneer said: 'We understand the depth of feeling within the community at the loss of this centre, but we can assure all our visitors that the committee has explored every avenue open and has reluctantly accepted that a move is now inevitable.'

It had been hoped that rest room could remain at the Brook Street premises for the immediate future, given that the building cannot be demolished and redeveloped as a retail unit.

But there has been no feedback from Hunstrete Estates, although its agent said this week the company was still looking at all the different options.

Mrs Meneer said: 'During the last few months we have worked closely with Tavistock town council, who have provided considerable support and encouragement to ensure that a facility for our older residents remains within the town centre, and we are grateful for all their help and advice.

'We very much hope that both our visitors and volunteers will continue to support this valuable centre during this transitional period and look forward to your help in making this move a success for decades to come.'

The rest room at the Anchorage Centre will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12.30pm and Fridays from 10am to 1pm.

Town clerk Roger Howard said discussions were on-going as to what the open market rental for the property in Brook Street might be if the rest room was allowed to stay.

The lease states that the peppercorn rent will be increased to 50% of the open market rental price from this month.