HUNDREDS of pensioners could be left without their much-loved Tavistock rest room in February, if a last ditch attempt to save it fails.
Time is running out for the old folks, who have been served with a notice to vacate the building on February 22 by owners Hunstrete Estates, due to a break clause in the 15-year-lease.
Lawyers for Tavistock Town Council, which leases the building from Hunstrete for a peppercorn rent, are investigating a possible technical deficiency in the terms of the lease, which may give the users a reprieve.
If the notice is found not to be valid, the rest room can remain for another four years, but at 50% of the market rental.
Members of Tavistock Town Council have heard that it is probable the notice will stand.
Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'Our lawyers are trying their best to appeal against it but I do not think they will succeed.
'If they don't, the old folks will have to pack up and go by February 22.
'Hopefully we will know by Christmas one way or the other.
'Our lawyers are working on our stance for deciding the market rental, should the notice be found defective.'
At the council's properties meeting on Tuesday, members heard that there may be a possibility of an alternative building in the town centre which the old folks could use.
Its whereabouts has not been disclosed while enquiries continue.
After the meeting, Cllr Ted Sherrell, member of the properties committee, said that this 'vital service' must continue.
'It is so important that if the worst happens and the existing rest room is demolished, alternative premises are found — and in the town centre.
'For almost 60 years this splendid facility has provided a vital service to the older people of Tavistock and West Devon.
'In an age when financial constraints mean that council and government funded services are being cut, the rest room, which is largely self funding, must continue!'
West Devon Borough Council refused an application for the demolition of the rest room in Brook Street and the building of a two-storey shop on the site earlier this week.
Hunstrete Estate's appeal against this decision is currently with the planning inspectorate.
The Old Folks' Rest Room committee has submitted a petition of 225 names to the town council and forwarded it to the borough council's planning department, asking them to 'Save our Rest Room' in a last ditch attempt to retain their beloved room.
Chairman of the Old Folks' Rest Room committee, Yvonne Meneer, said this week: 'We are still clinging on, but we are just going to have to wait and see what happens. We have demonstrated and written letters and now there is not much else we can do. It is out of our hands.
'Until everything is settled we still have some hope.
'The rest room is such an asset to Tavistock and people come here from all over. There is nothing else like it in other towns.'