SMALL businesses which have been badly hit by the foot and mouth crisis are being urged to contact Tavistock Town Council if they believe temporary accommodation may help them.
Councillors at their meeting last week were concerned that small businesses in badly affected areas had had their trade decimated by lack of visitors.
Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'If anyone has a business we could temporarily give accommodation to, please tell us and we will obviously try to help.
'The least we can offer is a table in the pannier market, the most we can offer is 9 Duke Street on a temporary basis, as long as the planning authorities are happy with change of use.'
Col Howard said the council would not charge rent in these circumstances, but would expect a short-term tenant to pay the running costs of the unit, heat, light etc.
The chairman of the council's finance committee, the mayor and the clerk have been given delegated powers to agree suitable tenants and terms of occupation.
Anyone interested should contact Tavistock Town Council on 01822 613529.
The council is also sending out a mail-drop to almost 200 coach companies, telling them Tavistock is open for business as usual. Col Howard said the authority is liaising with the chamber of commerce to see if meal vouchers for coach drivers could be provided, to encourage them to visit Tavistock.
The information is also being posted on the town council's web site.