A BOMBARDMENT of demands to establish a youth café in Tavistock Pannier Market library building was aimed at the town council this week.

The protests follow the town council's refusal to allow the café to be set up in the building — instead, members decided that the premises should be split into three units available on short-term leases at a commercial rate.

The town council-owned site becomes redundant when the new library in Plymouth Road opens this summer.

But Pelicans Youth Café Project, convened by Tavistock Christian Youth Forum, accused the council of 'totally disregarding' the needs of local youngsters. The project is pushing for an urgent reconsideration of the scheme to turn the site into a smart, modern youth café.

David Stolton, project representative, said Pelicans was disappointed it had not been given an opportunity to discuss the scheme further with councillors. He said the library would be an ideal location for a dedicated, attractive youth café open to all youngsters, particularly during the evenings.

'It's also important it's not in church premises,' he added.

The project is willing to pay the council a reasonable rent for the site and to share the facilities with groups like the Credit Union or Community Volunteer Service.

Mr Stolton also questioned the wisdom of trying to attract short-term tenants into the building — he said very few businesses would be able to afford to invest in a six-month lease at a raised rental.

Louise Dingle, on behalf of Search (Tavistock Methodist Youth Group), is also asking the council to reconsider.

She said cafés in Tavistock close at 5pm and were not geared for young people — an evening facility could reduce vandalism, litter and provide somewhere safe for youngsters.

'What is more important to the council — a little extra rental or the welfare of this town's youth?' she added.

Ruth May, 17, of Whitchurch, said: 'As a prospective user of this service I had looked forward to having an appropriately and youthfully decorated place where we could enjoy meeting, supervised to some extent by professionally trained youth workers.'

Ruth said the Alexander Centre offered valuable courses but was not able to offer the same social atmosphere.

'I feel an opportunity to give real benefit to the youth of Tavistock has been missed,' she said.

Sarah Greig, 16, said the café would be an asset to the town, while Nick and Jane Sanham urged the council to 'rethink their priorities'.

And Joy Jewell, of Horrabridge, urged the council not to 'shut the doors of opportunity' for the sake of 'pounds in the council's coffers'.

The council felt that because the library was in a prime retail position, more income could be generated by splitting it up and renting it out. This revenue could support community groups with grants.

Cllrs Pat Warne and Caroline Keane at last week's town council meeting stressed that such groups could make very good use of the library building themselves.

And Tavistock mayor Cllr Judith Williams said: 'The café concept is something many of us would agree with but it's not a case of taking the first building they think would be suitable.

'I would ask them to realise that as councillors we have to play this balancing act between what is best for many and what is best for a few.'

Cllr Williams said she would be quite prepared to work with Pelicans to help them achieve their objectives although she had reservations about the scheme.

'Personally, I feel youngsters should be at home doing their homework in the evenings,' she said.

She added there were many people already wishing to take short-term leases in the library unit and councillors were unable to speak to Pelicans about the plan before their meeting because they were only told about it two days previously.

But it is not the end of the road for the project supporters — they plan to attend the annual town meeting on Tuesday March 13 where they will have the opportunity to state their case directly to councillors.

l See Letters, page 4