A PROPOSED move by Tavistock's Tourist Information Centre to Court Gate came under the spotlight during a meeting in the town last week.

The TIC, which currently occupies a unit in the pannier market precinct, could be merged with a new interpretation centre, under a move being considered by West Devon Borough Council and the Tamar Valley AONB service.

Members of the town council's properties committee, which owns Court Gate as well as the TIC premises, heard that the borough council enjoys a 40% discount on its rental for the current TIC office.

The town council has been asked if this discount will also be applied to Court Gate.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'In principle I don't have any problems with it.

'This would be creating a community use for the building and I always feel as a council, we have a responsibility to the community as well as commercially.'

Cllr John Sellis said: 'I don't see any reason why we should allow the borough money off — if they want it they should pay the full cost.'

Town clerk Roger Howard told the committee the 40% discount had been instigated 'many years ago', as the council's contribution to a community service.

'In many towns the town council has to run the tourist information office — here, the borough does it for us,' he said.

Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'In the South Hams, none of their tourist information centres are run by the district council and the two we have, in Tavistock and Okehampton, are considered most unusual.

'I think we should be gracious enough to do this, otherwise we could end up with the whole cost of running the thing.

'The tourist information centre is extremely important to bed and breakfasts and hotels, anywhere that wishes to promote tourism, and it benefits the town and wider area.

'The next tenant of the current tourist information centre premises won't be eligible for a rebate, so we will actually be making money.'

The committee recommended the council agree in principle to the use of the building by the Tourist Information Centre, and to the 40% rebate on its rent — the decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday.