LOCATION, location, location — the great mantra of our times could not have been more aptly applied to Tavistock Old Folk's Rest Room.

The white elephant that is now the old premises was a good location and is now empty and partly gutted.

The rest room residents in good faith left to occupy the archway and, I quote, 'to be secure for years to come'. So why now are there two other rival;s for said building?

The reluctance of ratepayers to pay for facilities, as Cllr Trew stated, is not necessarily true, as 1,000 signed a petition in one week.

The original building was not seen as a burden but an asset and something the town could use and cherish.

Cllr Whitcomb's point re tourism seems to forget that it is largely seasonal and people who live here have year-long needs!

Some comment about the rest room having funds was muted, but if a grant is available, isn't it stupid not to try to get one?

Presumably, the rest room will now have to pay its way from a peppercorn rent of £5 a year, plus refurnish new premises. This place asked little or nothing from Tavistock Town Council for 50 years. It's hardly greedy.

Perhaps the new mantra is: Promises, promises, promises.

Mrs S King

Launceston