TWO social innovations will be staged by Tavistock Town Hall staff this summer, starting today (Thursday) and tomorrow.

European-style café culture is the aim — the hall's café, run by the Fat Goose, and the hall's portable bar will be on Bedford Square, providing shoppers and visitors with a new area to enjoy al fresco refreshments during the day.

Ross Ayling, town hall duty manager, said: 'We just thought we would give it a try and see how it goes.

'The town hall café has been interested in working outside on the square for a while, and we thought we might as well get our portable bar out there as well, for alcoholic drinks.

'We have a licence for it now anyway. The café and bar will be cordoned off from the stalls but it means you can enjoy a drink with your snack now.'

And following the success of an afternoon tea celebration in the hall to mark the award of Freeman of Tavistock title to long-standing councillor Ted Sherrell last month, regular tea dances are being planned, starting in September.

Ross said it was lovely to see the hall packed with people enjoying a traditional English afternoon tea, so regular dates are being organised, which will also include live music.

The tea dances will take place on Sunday afternoons, probably every three months, depending on their popularity.

The new town hall team of Ross Ayling and Richard Marlow are determined to make the historic building a real hub within the community, and Ross said bookings are already flooding in for next year.

Anyone interested in booking the hall for entertainment purposes should call Ross or Richard on 01822 617232.