USE of Bedford Square by some commercial traders was criticised during a meeting in Tavistock last week. Cllr Norma Woodcock told the full town council she had been 'assailed' by people complaining about the mobile furniture showroom frequently parked on the square in recent weeks, many claiming it was 'an eyesore'. Cllr Woodcock said the square had been enhanced several years ago, the aim being to remove unsightly cars and coaches from parking in front of the Listed town hall and to allow people space to enjoy the picturesque town centre. Cllr Woodcock said the farmers' market, flower stalls and brightly painted market barrows which often used the square were attractive and imaginative. 'I can't agree however, that the furniture showroom, a big pantechnicon with a large canopy, is an attraction on the square,' she said. 'I have been assailed by people in the town who say if we can have that on the square, we would rather have the coaches and cars back. 'Commercial activity on the square is right and it might be bringing in money, but it should not be to the extent it detracts from what is even more valuable, and that is our heritage. I really do say it's not in the town's best interests to have that particular form of vending on the square.' Cllr Alison Clish-Green said she thought the furniture showroom stuck out 'like a sore thumb' — she did not feel Bedford Square was the right setting for this particular trader. She was backed by Cllr Ted Sherrell, who said flower stalls and the farmers' market were attractive and what people expected of an ancient market town centre — but a modern mobile furniture showroom was not. But Cllr Jane Ramsey favoured the furniture trader. She said: 'I don't think it's particularly unsightly. It's quite neat and well presented; it's giving us income when there's nothing else there. It's not obtrusive and we need to make use of the square to make revenue.' And Cllr Peter Jones said: 'I don't particularly like it on the square but what I do like is for once we are being proactive and getting some income. When the doors of the town hall are shut, there's no income coming in. We are paying people to be in there. We might have the most wonderful buildings in the world but if they're being used for absolutely squat, it's useless.' Cllr Jones said the council had no 'sinking fund' in case anything went wrong with any of its ageing buildings, therefore it was vital to find new income sources. 'If you are going to keep those town hall doors shut, you might as well put circus tents up in front of it,' he said. Some councillors queried the fact the furniture showroom was a wheeled vehicle, but town clerk Roger Howard said the vehicle fell within rules regarding use of the square. Cllr Robin Pike pointed out that Bedford Square was technically part of the highway, and the town council merely managed it on behalf of Devon County Council. The council agreed criteria for use of the square by commercial operators would be discussed at a future meeting of the town's market and town hall sub committee.