A BUSINESS plan to enhance Tavistock town centre could start to be implemented by the end of this year, now directors have been appointed to the town's BID (Business Improvement District).

Eleven directors —from a cross-section of businesses and the town council in Tavistock — have been elected to manage the BID, which more than 75% of businesses voted in favour of in June.

Firms will pay a levy on their business rates, raising approximately £60,000 annually to implement the plan, which focuses on improving the town centre environment, business support, marketing and promotion and car parking.

Bills have been sent out by the collecting authority — West Devon Borough Council — and money is starting to come in.

Nigel Eadie from the Original Pasty House who spearheaded the BID process, said it was now a case of deciding what to do first.

'We have the detailed plan which is what everyone voted on and contains the suggestions and ideas that people in the business community have come up with.

'By the end of November and hopefully before that, people will start to see specific things happening. We want to get things going in the town.

'The economy is still pretty much on its back and so we recognise the importance of getting on with this. We have had a convincing "yes" vote and we are really excited and looking forward to the next stage.'

Mr Eadie said the BID directors were predominantly independent shop owners, some with as much as 20 years experience in Tavistock, and some from new businesses.

'There is a good cross section of experience from all different sectors of the retail industry — it is very encouraging and should be very effective.'

Tavistock decided to pursue the BID idea after having seen it work in many other towns and cities up and down the country, including Plymouth.

Tavistock BID directors are Nigel Eadie from the Original Pasty House, Guy Talbot from Francis Clark Accountants, Sandra Dinely-Jones from the Cornish Arms, Vicky Davey from Invoco Boutique, Valerie Davenport from Kaleidoscope Toys, John Taylor from Wessex Heritage, Chris Hair from Tavy Typesetting, Lisa Hair from Taylor's Restaurant and Dukes Cafe, Cllr Sue Bailey from Tavistock Town Council, Tony Whitehead from the Mayflower Galleries and Phil Biggin from Browns Hotel.

Vicky Davey from Invoco Boutique said the BID was very exciting for Tavistock and she hoped a lot of good things would come from it.

'My business is only 23 weeks old but I am a Tavy girl and have been a consumer a lot longer than a business owner so I can bring that perspective as well,' she said.

Lisa Hair said she loved Tavistock and wanted it to remain a viable place to live and work.

She said: 'I have two businesses here and both my children work in the business. It's important we provide opportunities so young people can stay here and not have to move away.'