CONCERNS have this week been raised regarding the former Old Folk's Rest Room in Tavistock, which appears to have been targetted as a meeting place — despite its empty and locked appearance.

The building, in the heart of Tavistock's shopping centre, has been left vacant since the lease to the rest room organisers ran out two years ago.

Ralph Richards, a former committee member and user of the rest room, said: 'I looked in there about two or three weeks ago and I could not believe what I saw.

'The side door was open, it was full of food items, new packets of stuff. There's clothing in there, there were beer bottles all over the building — it's in a hell of a state.

'It's obviously being used on a regular basis, I wouldn't have thought it's a one-off. I went down there last week and there were at least two windows open.'

Mr Richards said it was 'heart-breaking' to see the building empty — yet being used without permission.

'The amount of dear old people who used to go in there to have a sit down and a chat after doing their shopping and meet up with their friends — it was unique, and I have spoken to several people who were so upset when it closed,' said Mr Richards.

'It's been allowed to get into this state with these people getting in there, using it freely, when for the last two years it could have been looked after and still used by the old people.'

Town mayor Cllr Philip Sanders said the situation was 'very sad'.

'From the town's point of view it's very disturbing that it's use was brought to an end and that it's stayed vacant for a long period of time,' he said.

'It looks quite unsightly right in the middle of town and it's now starting to develop the sort of problems you get in vacant premises.

'The owners of the building have certainly done nothing much about it — it's very sad, it's looking a mess, and quite frankly it will probably only get worse, but unfortunately there's nothing the town council can do about it.'

The rest room building in Duke Street has been empty since February 2009. Owners Hunstrete Estates applied for planning permission to demolish the building and build a retail unit on the site but West Devon planners turned down the application and an appeal to the planning inspectorate also failed last year.

Users of the rest room have since been meeting at the Anchorage Centre, by Tavistock Bus Station.

David Mills, of D R Mills and Associates, the agent acting for Hunstrete Estates, said: 'I was certainly unaware that people were getting in to the building.

'I don't know what my clients' intentions are regarding the building, but we will be suggesting that it is made secure as soon as possible.'

Hunstrete Estates were not available for comment.

Sgt Dave Anning, of Tavistock Police, said: 'The property is privately owned and if we do find people inside, they may well find themselves arrested on suspicion of committing an offence.

'If they cause any damage while they are in there, they could run the risk of being arrested for burglary, because burglary covers a wide variety of activities, regardless of their intention.'

Sgt Anning appealed to any member of the public who saw anything suspicious regarding use of the building to contact Tavistock Police Station as soon as possible.

'We will certainly be keeping our eye on the place,' he said.