TAVISTOCK Pannier Market will open on Sundays under new proposals which will see trial opening taking place throughout the rest of the year.

The new Market Reeve John Brady said there was strong support from the traders for a Sunday market, which he felt was 'long overdue'.

Town councillors this week agreed to the pannier market being opened for trading on 14 available Sundays until the end of the year.

Town clerk Roger Howard estimated around 20 tables needed to be sold for the council to break even on a Sunday.

Initial viability studies carried out last year found only around a quarter of the more than 100 traders said they would want to trade on Sundays, but as some traders might take more than one table, the break-even figure could expect to be comfortably reached.

Mr Brady said Sundays would offer a mixed market, though he was keen to encourage more clothing and possibly produce onto the market pitches.

Mr Brady said he felt Sunday would be a 'prime trading time' and he hoped other shops and cafes in Tavistock would join the pannier market in opening on Sundays.

The decision will not be welcomed by those who believe Sunday should be kept special.

Tavistock Methodist minister the Rev Jeff Moles said: 'I think it's unfortunate in that Sunday just becomes like any other day of the week.

'For those who work in the market it takes them away from their family and the day of rest which is important.'

One of the recommendations of a comprehensive pannier market best value review was to investigate the implementation of Sunday and/or Monday markets.

Tavistock Town Council's properties committee discussed the proposals for Sunday opening at its meeting on Tuesday and members agreed to the market being opened on 14 available days through to December.

Mayor of Tavistock Cllr Norma Woodcock said the proposal would encourage people to visit the town.

'Sunday is the only day some families can visit Tavistock Market. It's an opportunity for another activity for people to enjoy when they come to Tavistock,' she said.

Cllr Woodcock said the success of Sunday opening would revolve around how many traders were interested in the experiment.

She said it was important to begin trial Sunday opening soon, to give it a run throughout the summer season.

Cllr Judith Williams said any unused capacity within the market on Sunday, could be used for tables for charity or community groups.

Cllr Marjorie Corner struck a more cautious note: 'There are considerable cost implications. There would be increased staff and cleaning costs of being open six or seven days a week, instead of five.

'I'm not saying it isn't worth trying, but I do think we have got to be careful not to jump in with both feet,' she added.

Tavistock already holds monthly Sunday town hall fairs and Sunday car boot sales at Safeway have also been successful.

The trial opening is set to begin on Sunday, July 21.

The market will be open for six hours, to meet legal restrictions on Sunday trading. The opening of the pannier market on Sundays could have a knock-on effect for other businesses in the town.

Tavistock and District Chamber of Commerce has been informed and asked to notify its members so that general Sunday opening might be encouraged.

A trial opening run of eight successive Sundays through July, August, and early September is planned. Sunday opening would then take a break through September, October and the first half of November.

Trial opening is then proposed to resume on Sunday, November 17, and run for six weeks up to Christmas, including opening for last-minute festive shoppers on Sunday, December 22.

Town clerk Roger Howard said a number of traders had already enquired about the possibility of Sunday openings in December.