I WAS shocked and angered after reading (Times, October 20) that the council was going to ban dogs from entering Tavistock Pannier Market.

Our British way of life is being controlled and changed by councils who think that they know what is best for us. We British love our dogs and as a market trader of nine years, I see the enjoyment of people being able to wander around the market with their dogs.

The market is not a shop where half the family stay outside to mind the dog and the other half rush in to buy something — it is a place to slowly wander around, stoping, looking and chatting and then buying something, where all the family can do this together.

Of course, leaving the dog by itself outside is not an option, as dog theft is all to real now.  My heartfelt cry is, 'Why change this? Why?' There is no good reason to do this as it harms no one.

Sally McCarter

Deacons Green

Tavistock

AS the mother of a market stall holder I would like the town mayor and councillors to know how hard she has worked this year to build up her business. She started this time last year from a very small beginning, one day a week, and with the help and advice of fellow traders she now trades full time.

She has built up a substantial stock of knitted and hand-made goods and her trade is aimed at dogs and occasionally cats.

This week alone we have had customers from Scotland, Ireland, Yorkshire and Sussex. These lovely people not only shopped with us but all of Tavistock as visitors to our town with their animals.

We in the market work very hard to keep the atmosphere happy and helpful but we seem to be the ones at the brunt of these ridiculous suggestions.

What next, are we going to ban children with sticky fingers from picking up the only thing that breaks on our stalls, pushchairs that block the aisles or wheelchairs and mobility scooters?

No I am not serious, but nor should the council be about banning dogs.

Sue Noble

Princetown

I READ with interest and a certain amount of incredulity the story regarding the banning of dogs from the pannier market.

Am I correct in my understanding that the Tavistock business community is shortly to embark (no pun intended) on the development of a business plan for the promotion of Tavistock as a tourist destination? Will they highlight the fact that holiday makers who are dog owners are not welcome to visit the market often described as the 'jewel in Tavistock's crown'? After all, we do not want to waste tourists' time in encouraging them to travel into the town and then finding out they are not welcome.

Interestingly, I have again visited France this year on holiday and enjoyed and benefited from a society that is more than welcoming of dogs, throughout all markets, cafés and even restaurants.

I am sure our elected members can be a little more creative in their thinking rather than impose a blanket ban which will undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on the business within the market, which is much needed in these chastened times.

I must, of course, state that I am a dog owner and have enjoyed the market over the years and although I would not want to adopt the same knee-jerk reaction as our councillors, it does raise the thorny issue of looking elsewhere for a more welcoming market area.

Phil Honey

Tavistock

WELL done, Tavistock Council's properties committee, let's ban dogs from the market and drive even more trade away from our town.

Perhaps you should be thinking of ways to encourage people to come here.

Robert Faulkner

Lamerton

'IF it ain't broke, why mend it'? The pannier market is the one place left where visitors, and locals alike, can come inside out of the cold and rain with their dog - and spend a bit of money in the process.

This worked well for everyone, and has done for years, so why alter it?

Our pannier market has its own character and is different from everywhere else — that's what makes it special - let's keep it that way!

As far as I know, nobody, but nobody, minds the presence of dogs in there.

Have the town councillors really not got anything more important to think about. . . ?

Veronica Aston

St David's, Tavistock

I READ with deep concern your article that Tavistock Town Council is debating the banning of dogs from the pannier market. I run a bed and breakfast business in the area and around 90% of my clients bring their dogs with them on holiday.

As a business I support my local town of Tavistock and 'sell it' to my visitors as being a dog-friendly town, ie, walking in the Meadows, coffee in the Bedford Hotel and their shopping in the pannier market. In these dire economic times, shouldn't our local councillors be supporting any initiative for business in the town, instead of putting obstacles in the way?

Councillors are elected members of the public and should support measures of benefit to the vibrancy of the town. This suggested ban pursued by a small core of councillors is, in my view, detrimental to what the council is always promoting as the pannier market  being Tavistock's 'Jewel in the Crown' and which one assumes  brings in a substantial revenue to the town.

I further note from your article that our current mayor, Cllr. Philip Sanders, is at the forefront of this proposed ban, when surely in his position he has the influence and opportunity to promote the business facilities of the town.

Brian Kehoe

Sampford Spiney

WE must protest. The proposal to ban dogs fron Tavistock Pannier Market is unnecessary and is bound to be unpopular with shoppers, visiting tourists, many who see Tavistock as one of the few dog friendly shopping areas left, and market traders alike.

It is very easy to forget that Tavistock relies on trade and tourism to provide a significant percentage of the town's income and any unpopular move to jeopardise this in the current economic climate is foolhardy and will win little support from residents who benefit from this income.

I trust that common sense will prevail with this issue. Well behaved dogs have always been welcome both on the streets of Tavistock and in the market so why change a winning formula?

A J and C E Pitcher 

claire.pitcher@

tesco.net

l These are some of the many letters that were received before the full town council decision on Tuesday not to ratify the proposed ban on dogs in the pannier market. It was decided to publish them to show the strength of feeling on the issue. No letters were received in favour of a ban — Editor