THE future of Tavistock's annual Goose Fair came under the spotlight at a meeting in the town last week.

During Tavistock Town Council's finance committee meeting, Cllr Philip Sanders asked if the event was likely to come under review.

He said: 'I have been approached this year by a significant number of businesses within the town, asking if Goose Fair could be discontinued, because for most, it's their worst trading day of the year.

'Many of them don't now open on that day for various reasons and they would like to see the back of it.

'Twelve or 13 ranging from garage premises to gifts shops asked me about this — that's a significant number of traders to me — and they were all independent traders.'

Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'There was a public meeting held up at the borough council on this some time ago and the resounding feeling was, yes, it's an inconvenience, but to keep it going.'

Cllr Robin Pike said: 'We get this every year. A lot of traders choose that week to take their holiday — a lot shut because of sticky fingers.

'We review it every year, we have the wash-up meetings after it, and we are trying to improve it along with the works superintendent and his staff. Some traders like it and some don't.'

Cllr David Whitcomb said: 'I believe Goose Fair is for the people of Tavistock, not just businesspeople. At the end of the day, Goose Fair is known up and down the county, I know it's a problem for some but lots love it.'

And Cllr Jenny Metcalf said she believed many of Tavistock's 'premier businesses' had a good week of trading during the Goose Fair period.

Cllr Michael Harper said: 'Basically, I suspect there was an increase in people complaining this year because of the current economic climate — hopefully next year it will be better.'

Town clerk Roger Howard told Cllr Sanders that the council had held a best value review of Goose Fair, which ultimately recommended the town council continue to run the event.

Cllr Ian Jennings said: 'I work in one of those small businesses in the town and the only reason he closed on Goose Fair day was because of light fingers — and because he likes going to the fair anyway!

'A lot of people I talked to this year, because the weather was so nice, thought Goose Fair was fantastic!'