MARKET traders in Tavistock are to benefit from a number of measures designed to help increase trade in the town.
Tavistock Town Council last week decided to freeze rents for the pannier market at their current level to support the market's loyal traders and to encourage others.
Councillors also decided to publicise the town among the dozens of South West coach companies as a good place to visit in the current foot and mouth crisis.
However, Cllr Roger Matthew was concerned that a freeze on rents would mean a much bigger, and unacceptable, increase next year.
But town clerk Col Roger Howard said the council had allowed for a smaller income from the market this coming year following forecasts from market reeve Keith Spiers. The budgeted figure of £220,000 is some three per cent lower than last year's income, which, coincidentally, equates to the rent rise the council was originally considering.
Town mayor Judith Williams said: 'The situation in the market is very bad at the moment. If we can afford to, then this is a good time to do this. And if we advertise, then hopefully we can increase revenue by increasing the number of people coming. That would be the way we can achieve the income we need without penalising the traders.'
Cllr Norma Woodcock added that any benefits to the pannier market would be reflected in the town generally.
'The effect of the pannier market is felt throughout the town,' she said.
Cllr Marjorie Corner said: 'The town is in dire straits already, and it will get worse. We should show some sympathy with the loyal market traders — encourage current traders to stay and more to come.'
Col Howard will send letters to some 180 coach companies in the South West to encourage them to bring tourists into the town. He will emphasise that it is a safe and vibrant place to visit during the foot and mouth crisis.
l Banners heralding special events in Tavistock Pannier Market have become a thing of the past.
The town council's properties committee last week voted to ban banners. They felt they detracted from the new sign at the entrance to the market and it was too much effort to put them up.