TAVISTOCK businesses look set for a bumper boost before Christmas, — thousands of pounds of Euro-cash has been secured to pay for an 'exciting' project to

regenerate the town.

The Towns Alive project, which aims to promote Tavistock and what it has to offer, was outlined in March by Tavistock Forward. It should help businesses and the community and comes free of charge, thanks to European Objective 2 funding.

John Taylor, joint chairman of Tavistock Forward, said: 'I think this is going to be really exciting for the town and it's great we've got this money — this is at no cost to anyone.'

Mr Taylor said: 'This is new Objective 2 money from Europe — it's a pilot scheme for the Key Fund.

'It's the first source of this new funding and as far as I am aware one of the first in this area.'

The Towns Alive programme is worth more than £22,000. It is the brainchild of business consultant Graham Vallis and as well as the grant from the Key Fund there is a contribution from West Devon Borough Council.

Mr Taylor paid tribute to the borough council for its help and support in obtaining the grant.

He said he hoped as many people as possible would participate in the programme, whether they were business people, representatives of local groups, churches, the police or schools.

'The programme comes in three phases. The first, which is already under way, is research and development and involves Tavistock College and Kelly College.'

He said young people were being asked what they liked and disliked about the town and its surroundings, what they spent their money on, and where.

A customer survey in the town and outlying villages is also running on similar lines.

Mr Taylor said: 'Research and development is a very important phase of the programme. Graham is also having discussions with 15 local businesses so we get input on what it's like to run businesses in the town.'

The next phase will be launched in Tavistock Town Hall next weekwhen anyone who wants to be involved in the programme is encouraged to attend.

Seven subsequent meetings will be held in the Bedford Hotel between November 1 and Dickensian Evening. An 'action plan' will be produced as a result of the research and the output from the meetings will be given to all participants.

'All this information is probably worth about £1,000,' said Mr Taylor. 'It's one of the most comprehensive surveys every done on Tavistock.

'We feel this is the start of many things. We obviously have to do this project right and we get a comprehensive action plan for the town.

'We are told we should then be able to get more money and it shouldn't be as hard to obtain,' said Mr Taylor.

Dick Spackman, secretary of Tavistock Business Association, said: 'I think it gives the town a really first class opportunity to promote Tavistock and what it has to offer, and to encourage the town to pull together.'

Ian Taylor from Tavistock Chamber of Commerce said: 'It's very much a self-help scheme — it will be as good as everybody wants to make it.

'The more people that come along, and the more diverse, the better.'

And Cllr Judith Williams, mayor of Tavistock, said: 'I'm looking forward to it. I think it will be a worthwhile project to see if we can encourage the economy of the town and perhaps people will work together a bit more efficiently. We have lots of groups in the town and we need to consolidate them.'

l The Towns Alive meeting will be held in Tavistock Town Hall between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on Wednesday October 18 — all welcome.