THE first-year record of a group representing businesses in Tavistock came in for criticism from town traders at its annual meeting last Thursday.

Some traders felt there had been a lack of effective communication since the Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID) was set up.

But despite the dissatisfaction, there was a willingness to become more actively involved in the organisation, with new board members elected at the meeting in the Bedford Hotel.

Kate Bailey, of Seiren Lingerie, said she, in common with many other businesses, had been asked to give contact details to the BID board, which never appeared to have been followed up.

'I have never had any communication with you via email or anything else and you definitely had all my details,' she said.

Linda Walker from A Scent Sation said she was 'passionate' about Tavistock and had voted for the creation of BID, but she felt 'very let down'.

Judith Murray, of Farley Menswear, said the town faced big problems over car parking and it should be capitalising on the new cycle routes in the area, rather than 'wasting' money on the creation of a Tavistock app.

She said many people who had paid the BID levy were unhappy because they could not see what the money had been spent on.

Businessman John Taylor said: 'We appreciate what you have done, you have put your own time in and it's been a very steep learning curve, but things have clearly gone wrong.

'Eighteen months ago we had a business plan and ten projects we voted for. At no time tonight has anyone referred to that business plan.

'We have another four years to make this work and really get some projects going. You have really got to re-focus and look at where you want to be in five years.'

Outgoing BID chairman Phil Biggin said: 'We accept in relation to the challenges we faced, we didn't take into consideration how long it would take to get the communication process off the ground, based on the lack of feedback we had from everybody.

'From a one-year start-up, we made errors and we have learned from those errors.

'Please, please, please rest assured we are as passionate about the town and the BID as you are.

'BID is all about trying to work together and not divide the high street — let's utilise this passion.'

BID treasurer Guy Talbot said he was involved in the Towns Alive movement ten or 12 years ago, which had come up with worthwhile projects, which did not get off the ground, mainly due to lack of funding: 'I saw BID as a golden opportunity for this town, to harness energy and good ideas and make this a better place to do business.

'I know we have got things wrong, but I would like to think we can do things right, I hope we can take this forward and when it's time to discuss whether or not we are going to renew the BID arrangement, everybody will say "Of course we have to renew it".'

BID manager Adam Fleet said he was working with the town and borough councils on the issues of parking, the website was up and running and he had personally walked up and down the high street, giving out his business card and mobile

number in an effort to improve communications.

He said BID was working on money-saving tactics to help businesses reduce energy costs, the use of social media to promote businesses and the creation of business forums.

There was also a small committee of people looking at event organisation with the intention of creating new attractions for shoppers, such as a Shrove Tuesday celebration.

The new directors appointed were Alison Bickell, Mandy Ewings and Seth Robertson.

The new chairman of BID is due to be decided at the next board meeting, in early January.

A BID defines a geographical area in which the majority of business ratepayers have voted for paying a small additional levy on the business rates to help fund a five-year programme of events, projects and additional services which they have chosen to improve their trading environment.