THE refusal of financial support for a campaign to protect and boost business in Tavistock town centre this week sparked a call for a re-think on the decision.

Nigel Eadie, chairman of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, which is backing the Brook Campaign, last month asked the town council for £4,000 to £5,000 in its drive to support the viability of the town, in the light of an application to build a Sainsbury's store opposite Bishopsmead.

Cllr Mandy Govier, during last week's finance committee meeting, said: 'This council has already informed the chamber that we cannot support or object to planning applications in this way, we can't put ourselves in that position.

'There's a lot of people in the town who would like a Sainsbury's. Who are we to go against what many would be in favour of?'

Cllr Govier suggested it could be more appropriate for the council to make a bigger contribution towards the Christmas lights or to invest more general promotion of the town.

Cllr Harry Smith said: 'There is no financial power that allows us to contribute funds to fight a planning application.

'Mr Eadie said there is no doubt that if the application is refused, an appeal would take place and the money is to fight that appeal. We can't give money to something that's clearly falling into that bracket — but there's nothing stopping us supporting the town centre if we want to spend £5,000.'

Cllr Michael Harper said if the council supported the Brook Campaign, or ran its own town centre campaign, it would be seen to be unsupportive of the shops and businesses on the outskirts of the town.

Cllr Philip Sanders said the council should think very carefully about the town centre issue. He said there were businesses on the outskirts of town which worked hard to increase their retail opportunities and which would probably welcome the footfall a new Sainsbury's might attract.

The committee agreed a letter should be sent to the chamber explaining the council had no powers to support the campaign, but requesting an early meeting to discuss ways of promoting the parish as a whole.

Mr Eadie said the chamber was 'very disappointed' and felt the council had not thoroughly understood the principle objectives of the Brook Campaign.

He said: 'The prospect of the council doing nothing to assist the Brook group — at a time when Tavistock faces monumental challenges and threats to its fundamental heritage and existence — is alarming. At some point, everyone needs to stand up for what they really, passionately believe in.

'The group has attracted the high profile support of Zac Goldsmith and Geoffrey Cox MP, who are clearly prepared to do just that.  

'Those involved within the Brook Campaign will continue — with or without the council's financial support — to work to protect our unique town. I would urge the council to reconsider their position and reverse their decision.'    

Mr Eadie said the Brook Campaign group would continue to work extensively to protect the commercial vitality and sustainability of the town centre which was its the primary objective.

'The Brook Campaign isn't "anti" anything. It is simply, very much "pro" Tavistock,' said Mr Eadie.

'I wonder how the traders within the pannier market, and tenants of council-owned properties within the town, feel about the council's decision not to support the Brook Campaign?' 

The council was due to ratify the finance committee's recommendation at its meeting on Tuesday night.