A?CHEAP parking scheme that allows shoppers to stay in Tavistock all day for £2, will continue, at least until next April, it has been decided.

The West Devon Car Parking Strategy Group, made up of West Devon Borough Councillors, Tavistock BID and Tavistock and District Chamber of Commerce, considered the £2 a day parking in Tavistock at its latest meeting on November 3. 

The group was pleased to announce that most of the feedback from customers and businesses in the town had been positive with a few negative comments about the availability of parking. 

The £2 parking was introduced in all West Devon Borough Council car parks earlier this year in a bid to increase footfall in the town and boost trade.

At the meeting, it was also noted that a recent article in the Times considered the concerns of many in the town.

As a result of the positive feedback, the group resolved to request that the borough council continue with the scheme for the full 12 months, before reviewing formally. 

In the meantime, councillors will be asked to consider making more long-stay parking available in the top two decks of Brook Street car park rather than short-stay to address the concerns of residents and business in Tavistock.

Councillor Mike Benson said: ‘We would like to thank members of the public for their feedback, which has proved really, very helpful.

‘We have addressed the matters raised by residents and businesses and we have also listened to the praise and feedback from those who use the car parks on a regular basis.

The scheme will be reviewed again by the group in early Spring 2016.

Tavistock BID manager Lisa Piper said it was really good news that the parking scheme would continue as it was having the desired effect in town.

She said there had been a few requests to start the £2 parking charge later to deter people who worked in Tavistock using the car parks to park all day when the aim was to attract more visitors to shop.

‘Once the 12 months is up we would like the strategy group to consider starting the £2 charge at 10am,’ she said.

The new tariff reduced the cost of parking by up to £4.50 in some car parks.