INCREASED advertising, better coach parking facilities and special traders' discounts could boost business in Tavistock Pannier Market, according to a recent study.

The action plan, drawn up by four students from the University of Plymouth Business School, will be used by the council when it undertakes its best value performance review of the market.

While drawing up the study, the students interviewed shoppers, traders and the market reeve and compared the market with other town markets, particularly the one held in Barnstaple.

They found the pannier market provided a 'good, efficient service' with a 'good reputation'.

Of the people questioned, it was found that 85 per cent came to the market by car, and 15 per cent walked — no-one used the bus.

'By encouraging people who travelled from other towns to use the bus the roads around the town centre and car parks could be eased.

'Better parking for coaches would also be an improvement,' the report stated.

The students found that 75 per cent of people not intending to buy anything specific were prepared to spend up to £10. The 25 per cent of people on a mission to buy were going to spend up to £20.

'This clearly shows how more income to the market can be generated when people come to the market clearly intending to make a specific purchase — advertising specific stalls in the market could achieve this,' stated the report.

The students said traders were 'very enthusiastic' in giving their views. Suggestions included improved lighting, music, better fitting doors, stronger themed days, tidier corners and improved toilet facilities.

The students concluded the council should encourage use of public transport, introduce cancellation charges for stallholders and a discount scheme for regular attenders and use full-page advertisements in the Times with individual stalls buying their own slots on the page.

Mayor of Tavistock Norma Woodcock thanked the students for their presentation and said she thought the study was a 'very, very valuable piece of work.'

'We really are most appreciative,' she said.

Cllr Peter Donkin questioned the students about the image of the pannier market.

'Is it a cool place to be or is it for fuddy-duddies?' he asked.

Cllr Pat Warne asked if the students thought the market was a good place for people starting up in business.

The students felt the market fell somewhere between 'quaint and interesting' and 'fuddy-duddy' for people of their age group. They said it could be a good starting point for budding entrepreneurs and had spoken to people who had started their business with a market stall.

They said although the range of novelty goods was an attraction for the younger generation, other improvements such as making the café area more attractive, making use of outdoor seating and installing a bar would also prove a draw.