A GENERAL dissatisfaction with the choice of supermarkets in Tavistock was highlighted as one of the main issues to come out of the retail study for the town and Okehampton, a West Devon Borough Council strategic planning officer told town councillors at a recent meeting.

Strategic planning officer Michelle Luscombe relayed to councillors the findings of the study undertaken earlier this year.

The borough council received 248 responses from the questionnaire, 113 relating directly to Tavistock and the others relating to Okehampton or both towns.

Ten letters were received from statutory consultees, other organisations and developers, about retailing across the borough, and 31 letters were received relating to Tavistock, encouraging the borough council to bring more retail to the town to provide a better choice, competitive pricing and more jobs. The borough council also received a petition of 220 signatures calling for an additional supermarket in the town.

Ms Luscombe said the main issues raised from the consultation were:

l some desire for more quality and choice in supermarket provision, which could include a 'high quality' retailer in the town

l interest in seeing the former Focus store brought back into use

l some support for allowing more out of town shopping opportunities, particularly non-food.

A summary of responses is due to be published on the borough council website by the end of January. Members will now consider the views of the community and the evidence collected to help them shape future policy on shopping and leisure in the borough.