THE first flush of success in the project to renovate the east end of Tavistock Pannier Market was proclaimed last week, with the official opening of the market's new toilets.

Tavistock mayor Cllr Ken Sanders opened the smart new toilet complex, which has cost £130,000, last Friday.

The facilities were built to meet new environmental health regulations requiring separate washroom facilities for traders handling food.

The toilet complex contains two disabled access facilities — one for assisted use — improved ladies' and gentlemen's blocks and dedicated food-handler washrooms.

Opening the toilets, Cllr Sanders said: 'Having decided we had to do this to comply with the law, we thought this was an opportune time to upgrade the facilities.'

Cllr Sanders said he felt the toilets would be well-used as the market had just begun a trial run of Sunday trading, and the market reeve was investigating the possibility of Monday trading as well.

The upgrading of the toilets and the opening-up of the far end of the market is the first phase of a project to renovate the east end of the market area.

The second phase, refurbishing the shops along the east end, will hopefully commence at the end of the year.

Town clerk Col Roger Howard said the total cost of the project will be more than £370,000 and will result in a smart and attractive shopping complex improving the viability of the centre of Tavistock.