I WAS surprised that nowhere in the article about the new rest room was it mentioned that it will be causing the closure of a successful shop.  

Quirky, which has a delightful range of rather different clothing, is a successful business in a prominent position in the outer pannier market, which, my understanding is, the council is keen to see as a thriving retail area in Tavistock.

What encouragement does it give young entrepreneurs hoping to start a business around or in the pannier market if they can be chucked out with six week’s notice.  I would have thought that the council should be encouraging small business rather than turning Tavistock into a town with endless hairdressers, cafes and charity shops.   

There are so many cafes and tea rooms already in Tavistock, as well as empty business premises, surely somewhere else could have been found for the ‘Old Folks’ Rest Room’ without putting someone out of business?  

On a final note, I would also say that, in this day and age, the thought of people over 55 being old is laughable.  I am 70 and I can assure you that as far as I am concerned old is always, and will always be, ten years away!

Patti Warcup

Tavistock

IT was with incredulity that I learned about the change of two good-sized, glass-fronted retail units, on the eastern periphery of the Tavistock Pannier Market, to a ‘rest area’ for the over 55s.

The existing business is a vibrant, attractive, popular shop which also attracts people to carry on into the pannier market and the many unique outlets within.

Why would the council insist that they must have both adjoining units! For a ‘rest room’? Most over 55s are fit and healthy and happily working for a further ten years so wouldn’t they just patronise one of the many existing cafes and restaurants?

Perhaps the council think that people in Tavistock are just sheep, and accept it all with indifference; the mistake the EU made!

John Osborne