We support and promote the vibrant trading community in the heart of Tavistock. On this site you can find out more about us - the area we cover, the work we will be doing and what we have achieved.
Tavistock Late Night Shopping Events
Tuesday, 10/Dec/2013
Shops open on both nights until 8pm. Pannier Market open until 8pm
Friday 13th December
Lantern Parade
School groups will start from the following locations at 6pm;
Co-Op Brook Street.
Co-Op Market Street.
Outside Kountry Kit, West Street.
Bedford Car Park, Plymouth Road.
They will be singing carols on the parade making there way to Bedford Square for 6:45pm
With a Christmas sing-a-long from 6:45pm in the Bedford Square.
Emmazdad balloon modelling and free face painting.
Friday 20th December Firewalk and Father Christmas
Firewalk starts 6pm in the Bedford Square
Father Christmas in his Grotto in the Town Hall from 3pm - 7:30pm with entertainment and free face painting!
Fun from Dickensian 2013
Wednesday, 04/Dec/2013
TASS supporting Dickensian Evening
Friday, 22/Nov/2013
Tavistock Area Support Service is supporting the Town once again on Dickensian Evening by operating a shuttle bus service from Morrisons Car park and providing Mobility Scooters on the evening.
SHOPMOBILITY
There will be Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs available at this year’s DICKENSIAN EVENING
To reserve your scooter or wheelchair phone Bernice on 01822 616958 (Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm)
Working in Partnership with: Tavistock Town Council & Chamber of Commerce
Tavistock Dickensian Friday 29th November
Thursday, 21/Nov/2013
Step back in time and visit Tavistock for a truly traditional Christmas this year.
Tavistock hosts its annual Dickensian evening. Shop owners dress up in traditional clothing and open until late which is a good job as there are so many independents in this Town! Don't forget the beautiful Paddons Row with its stunning buildings and unique shops you'll be sure to find a present or two here. Theres an Arts Market in Bank Square Car Park this year featuring local artists from pictures to pottery all bespoke. Tavistock is a charming Town with plenty to see and and theres no better time to visit than Dickensian Evening .
The Christmas light switch starts at 6pm in Bedford Square where children of the area and father Christmas turn the lights on.
Theres plenty of entertainment from stilt walkers,fire performer and a Victorian photo booth this year where you can dress up in period costume and have a picture taken for free!
Theres games, stalls, hot cider, hot chestnuts and steam engines.
Carol singing, magician, musicians, face painter and a puppet theatre!
The local butchers in the Town offer Hog Roast, Steak rolls and other delights to keep you warm. From pasties to fine dining theres something to fill you up and keep you going.
The Pannier market is open and they embrace the dressing up in costume and the atmosphere is wonderful. Moor foreshore craft fair will be in the Town hall offering fantastic bespoke gifts and do not miss the Christmas Tree festival in the Church with over 100 trees decorated by local schools, organisations and businesses I even saw one with flip flops last year!
There truly is something for everyone and Tavistock always provides a warm welcome
To make life easier theres a free park and ride from Morrisons starting at 5pm.
Dates for your Diary.
December 13th late night shopping and lantern parade in Tavistock.
20th December Firewalk in aid of ROC and father Christmas in his grotto with late night shopping.
Free Parking throughout December
Thursday, 21/Nov/2013
Monday - Friday after 3pm in all car parks in Tavistock throughout December.
Businesses to help measure town’s performance
Tuesday, 01/Oct/2013
Businesses in Tavistock will be asked to play a key role in measuring the performance of the town centre at a special event this month (October).
The Tavistock Bench Marking Event is being held on Monday, October 14 between 6 and 9pm at West Devon Borough Council’s offices at Kilworthy Park.
The aim is to show businesses how they can help gather important information about how well the town centre is doing.
Businesses will be trained on how to gather evidence about footfall, business confidence, shoppers and the variety of shops and services on offer – among other things.
Cllr Robert Oxborough, the Borough Council’s Community Services Chairman, said: “To make this a success, we need as many Tavistock businesses as possible to take part. It is a chance for the business community to play a practical role in gathering vital evidence which will ultimately help shape the future of the town.”
The evidence gathered will help measure the impact of Tavistock BID and other development projects.
It will also help with future funding bids for other new initiatives and allow the town’s performance to be measured year on year.
The event is funded by Tavistock BID, Tavistock Town Team and the Borough Council and open to all businesses in Tavistock.
TAVISTOCK BID is celebrating success after bringing home a top prize in the prestigious South West in Bloom Pennant Awards.
The town achieved a Silver Gilt Pennant Award — the second highest award in its group — which is a great achievement for a first-time entry.
The Pennant was anew category introduced for BID towns, of which there are 20 in the SouthWest.
Tavistock BID manager Lisa Waddling was really pleased with the award: ‘We haven’t done a massive amount in terms of preparation, we just went on how the town already is and did really well.
‘They said we were a town to watch in the future, and could be atop contender for next year. For us to get aSilver Gilt Pennant award on our first time of entering was really amazing.’
Lisa said the judging panel was so impressed by the town, they asked to hold the spring conference in Tavistock.
‘The spring conference offers advice and help before the competition and they are going to use Tavistock asa case study, so around 150 delegates from across the South West will come here — we’re really pleased,’ said Lisa.
Before the awards, the town was assessed by the vice-chairman of Britain in Bloom, and judge of the South Westin Bloom awards, Jon Wheatley who said at the time that Tavistock had a ‘wonderful identity’ and a ‘lovely community spirit’.
Jon highlighted that part of the award scheme was to monitor and assist entrants in the promotion of their own town through its heritage, environment and landscape features.
Lisa said that BID was already planning to enter Tavistock in to the main awards next year, which will be its 50th anniversary.
She said: ‘Entering the main awards next year will act as a great incentive for Tavistock.
‘We want to work with all groups, not just to do with flowers but also education, heritage and working with the community.
‘We’ve now got to start getting prepared for spring and start working with these groups, to showcase what everyone is doing to make Tavistock a great place.’
Photo - Silver certificate — BID manager Lisa Wadling and town mayor Cllr Harry Smith.
Picture by James Bird for the Tavistock Times Gazette.
AGM Notice and Agenda
Wednesday, 25/Sep/2013
Notice of third Annual General Meeting of the members of the Tavistock BID Ltd.
To be held at the Bedford Hotel on Thursday 17 October 2013 at 6.30pm
The BID Board has now completed the poll of members to glean their view on plans for an out of town Tesco.
There was a substantial majority (from those who returned their forms) in favour of BID lodging a formal objection against the planning application for a change of use at the former Focus site.
As a result, we will be submitting a letter to this effect.
Please be aware that this will only count as one vote against the plans. Any business that has strong views on this should still write individually.
Town aiming for a floral first!
Thursday, 29/Aug/2013
Tavistock Times Gazette, 22 August 2013
TAVISTOCK BID members will be keeping their fingers firmly crossed next month when the result of the inaugural South West in Bloom Pennant awards are announced.
The Pennant is a new category which has just been introduced for BID towns. There are more than 20 in the South West, and the winner will be announced at a prestigious ‘Oscar-style’ ceremony in Truro Cathedral on September 19.
The town has just been assessed by the vice-chairman of Britain in Bloom, and judge of the South West in Bloom awards, Jon Wheatley.
Jon said: ‘This is my first visit to Tavistock for about five years. It’s great to see how everyone is working together to maintain and improve the environment in this lovely town. ?‘There seems to be a really lovely community spirit here — everybody is smiling, even in the rain!
‘We are proud that Tavistock is in the Pennant awards for the first time — you have a wonderful identity here. I can usually assess a place in about an hour, and I very much want to come back here again.’
Jon said part of the award scheme was to monitor and assist entrants in the promotion of their town through its heritage, environment and landscape features.
He said the aim of the RHS was to make the Pennant awards the Michelin star of the Britain in Bloom awards — winning towns would be able to fly a physical pennant flag proclaiming they had achieved the prestigious accolade.
He said judges were also able to award discretionary awards to towns they felt were particularly deserving in various categories, from environmental to heritage and landscape.
‘Don’t ever forget the power of flowers in the community — although it’s not just about hanging baskets these days, it’s about environmental and heritage issues, it’s a sense of place, and of civic pride and what is astonishing to me is the way that BID schemes are changing as a result of participating in the scheme.
‘There’s actually a very close marriage between Britain in Bloom and BID, they work together very well.’
Lisa Wadling, Tavistock BID manager, said it was part of BID’s business plan to enter the South West in Bloom awards, so they were delighted to hear about the Pennant award.
‘It’s amazing that we have the vice-chairman of Britain in Bloom to come and assess us for our first time, it’s brilliant!’ said Lisa.
‘The awards are an amazing opportunity to showcase Tavistock. We have a lot going for us in each of the categories that we would get assessed in.
‘We are working together with the heritage groups; the town council works really hard in ensuring everything is clean, Tidy Tavi does a fantastic job, there are so many people working to make sure Tavistock is amazing, so hopefully from the Pennant awards, we can go on to the next level.’
Lisa said the ultimate aim was to enter and be successful in the national Britain in Bloom awards.
‘There is no doubt that winning these awards does bring in extra visitors, they know in advance it will be a great place to come to.
‘I can’t wait, I think we have so much potential. We’ve done a good job already, and with what we have planned, with the funding from BID, bringing all the groups together, I think we could do something pretty special.’
The board of Tavistock’s Business Improvement District (BID) is asking members to share their view on plans for an out of town Tesco.
The BID board has decided to poll its members in order to gain a clear mandate to comment on the planning application for a change of use at the former Focus site, which would result in Tesco becoming Tavistock's third out of town supermarket.
BID Chairman, Tony Whitehead, said: “Naturally there are differing views amongst our membership on the impact another out of town supermarket will have on trade in the town. Since BID membership consists entirely of town centre businesses, we feel it our duty to represent their view on the matter. The majority vote, be it for or against the proposal, will give the board a clear mandate to act accordingly.
“The directors felt that this could only be achieved fairly by a postal vote because this is the only sure way that the paperwork will reach the person who is responsible for paying the BID levy,” he explained. “Other methods, such as hand deliveries to the businesses, have in the past proved ineffective in reaching the correct decision maker. This may take a little longer but will result in a very clear indication of our members’ opinion.”
The voting papers are being sent out now, to be returned by 16 August.
Coach Friendly Strategy Putting Tavistock on the Map
Thursday, 25/Jul/2013
A strategy to drive more coach visitors to Tavistock is being rolled out by the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Tavistock Town Council.
The first phase is now complete with a new information pack for coach drivers aimed at increasing visitation, which details facts about the town and its history, attractions, facilities and where to drop off passengers. The coach drivers’ packs are currently distributed 26 weeks of the year, and with the support of BID that will increase to 46 weeks of the year.
Lisa Wadling, Tavistock BID Manager said: "This is the first step to securing a significant increase in the number of coaches that come to Tavistock. The Town Council already has a great system in place and we’re delighted that that they welcomed the partnership with BID to work on growing the number of coaches we get and, most importantly, the length of time they spend in the town. By working together we can definitely achieve much more.
“We are also producing a media pack for tour operators to use in their brochures, to help ensure Tavistock features in their itineraries. And we are working with companies running day trips, putting together day and half day itineraries to increase the time spent in the town.
“The last phase will be to encourage coach companies from abroad into Tavistock,” she concludes.
Duane Carruthers, Pannier Market Manager, said: "The partnership with BID has enabled us to up the ante with the aim of increasing trade in the town and we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors."
BID Drives Free Parking Initiative
Thursday, 25/Jul/2013
Shoppers will be able to take advantage of free parking in Tavistock during August and September, thanks to the town’s Business Improvement District (BID).
The free parking will be valid after 3pm, Monday to Wednesday throughout August and September in the town’s car parks located in Brook Street, Russell Street and Bank Square. This comes as a follow on from a trial run in March.
Lisa Wadling, Tavistock BID Manager said: "This was one of the top rated projects in the BID business plan so I’m very happy that we can now put it into action and deliver it for the BID levy payers.
“We are advertising this initiative as part of our August campaign on Radio Plymouth and will have a lot of posters throughout the town telling people that it is happening. We will monitor the uptake and will be able to see what impact this has on trade for the town."
It is hoped that by using all three car parks all areas of the town will benefit.
New look tourist information planned for Tavistock
Thursday, 25/Jul/2013
Innovative plans have been drawn up to provide a new look tourist information service for Tavistock which could see so-called ‘Ambassadors’ helping visitors.
West Devon Borough Council is working with Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID), local businesses and organisations to develop an alternative way to provide good quality information for tourists.
In April this year, borough councillors reluctantly decided to cease funding both Tavistock and Okehampton Tourist Information Centres.
The move will help save the council around £50,000 a year and bring West Devon into line with neighbouring authorities where tourist information services are no longer run by local government.
At a workshop hosted by the Borough Council in June, Tavistock BID shared an exciting idea to train retailers to act as ‘Ambassadors’.
They would be given special training in how to help visitors and promote all Tavistock has to offer.
Retailers would wear special badges and display window stickers to highlight them as Ambassadors.
Visitors could even use their smart phones to scan QR codes in shop windows to access online tourist information.
Cllr Robert Oxborough, the Borough Council’s Community Services Chairman, said:”I am very impressed with the ideas generated at the workshop. This is an exciting and innovative approach to a challenge and I think, ultimately, it could provide a first class service for Tavistock.”
Lisa Wadling from Tavistock BID said: ”Our members asked for local knowledge training in the business plan and with the closure of the Tavistock TIC in April it has never been more important. Working with WDBC to enhance the courses we had planned will only create a better visitor experience.”
The Borough Council will now work with Tavistock BID and the other partners involved to develop training for the Ambassadors over the next nine months.
On Your Bike for Cycling Festival
Wednesday, 05/Jun/2013
17 June 2013: Tavistock is gearing up to host an Anglo-French Cycling Festival to mark the official Devon launch of the new cross-Channel Tour de Manche cycle route.
The free event, taking place on Saturday 22nd June, will see the town taken over for a day of attractions and festivities including Tavistock Farmers’ Market, a French continental market, stalls, cookery demonstrations and a host of entertainment. Tavistock’s most famous son and Drake’s Trail namesake, Sir Francis Drake, will also be putting in an appearance.
Local cycling businesses will be on hand to share tips and showcase their products, including the Dartmoor Electric Bike Company, Dartmoor Cycles and Vintage Bikes.
Celebrated French chef, Jacques Marchal, will be cooking up a storm in the town square. Jacques, who came to the UK from France in the 1970s, runs Chez Nous Chez Vous catering business and is a founder and co-organiser of the Plymouth FlavourFest food festival. His combination of French cuisine with the fantastic produce of Devon and Cornwall earned him a Michelin star for 13 years running.
The festival starts from 10am and will be officially opened by the Mayor of West Devon Borough Council and Tavistock Town Mayor at 12pm, welcoming the 'baguette baton' relay running between Dorset and Devon.
The day will be a celebration not only of the new route and of the ‘entente cordiale’ it represents between France and England, but of the huge opportunities this offers in terms of sustainable tourism for local businesses. The new cycle route is expected to bring a wave of tourists to Devon – quite possibly from all around Europe – who will visit to enjoy the fabulous South West countryside and coastline.
Secured by Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council, the Anglo-French Cycling Festival is one of only two UK events taking place.
The Mayor of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr William Cann OBE, said: “The Tour de Manche route will put West Devon on the European map. As a key part of the circular route, the West Devon section showcases some spectacular moorland edge scenery following Drake’s Trail and the Granite Way. Crossing the recently opened Gem Bridge and passing through Brunel’s Grenofen Tunnel, the route will be a memorable experience for visitors, both locally, and for our neighbours from the continent. For your next holiday, why not hop on a bike and give part of the route a try, or if you are feeling really ambitious try the whole 1200km!”
Announcing the festival, BID Manager, Lisa Wadling said: “We were amazed by how many people turned out last year to welcome the Tour of Britain, which really cemented Tavistock’s place as a major hub for cycling in the South West. We’re looking forward to a fantastic day full of fun, food and pedal power!”
Events are also being organised to mark the occasion on the other side of the Channel in Normandy and Brittany.
As of 22nd June, the route planning website www.tourdemanche.com will offer a wealth of route section information, GPS trackers, places to see and stay, as well as details of bike repair and hire for each local area.
More details will be announced shortly but any businesses interested in getting involved should contact Lisa on lisa.wadling@tavistockbid.co.uk or 07789 112009.
PICTURE: Cllr Stuart Hughes leads the group of British cyclists onto Gem Bridge to meet their French guests.
THE new manager for the Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID) was this week announced to be Lisa Wadling.
A familiar face around Tavistock, Lisa has been involved with the BID since its inception on various steering groups and is responsible for organising special events including Dickensian Evening.
In March she carried out a shopping ‘mission’ in Tavistock to show that the town’s independent shops could match or exceed supermarkets for value.
With a background in marketing, advertising and event management, Lisa is well connected and is looking forward to putting Tavistock on the map.
She said: ‘I’m delighted to have secured the BID manager role. I know the business plan inside and out and am ready to jump straight in and run with it. ‘I’m really looking forward to the challenge.’
BID chairman Tony Whitehead said: ‘There has been a lot of hard work that has gone into getting BID to the current position and myself and my fellow board members feel that in Lisa we have the ideal candidate to build on this momentum. ‘We have some exciting projects ahead this year and with Lisa’s experience and can-do attitude, we know we’re in excellent hands.’
Lisa will take up the new role with immediate effect.
Vote on Christmas Plans
Friday, 12/Apr/2013
Dear BID Members
With Christmas a mere 9 months away the BID Around Town Events Team have been hard at work planning for the festive season.
These plans received very positive feedback from Members at the recent Forum; however, as not everyone was able to attend, here is an outline of planned events.
Friday 29 November – Dickensian Evening: it has been suggested that we use the Town Hall as a ‘market place’ where those members who are not ‘face-to-face’ sales based, (such as the different therapists who are members, solicitors, accountants etc.) could display their businesses.
Friday 13 December – Light Up Tavistock Lantern Parade: this event will be in conjunction with local schools. We aim for a 6.15pm start (giving families time to visit shops before the event) and different groups of children will begin the parade at different locations around the town; current suggestions include…the end of Brook Street, the top of West Street, the top of Pepper Street, Bank Square, Paddons Row, outside Eastgate Café on market road, Russell Street, the join of Duke Street/Brook Street and around the Pannier Market. The procession is to start at 6.30pm with all groups meeting in Bedford Square by 7pm for carols. We would like shops to stay open until 8pm to give families time to visit after the event. (Please send your opinions on this ASAP, we have to make our road closure applications very soon).
In line with feedback from Members regarding Late Night Shopping (which saw very mixed success last year) it has been suggested that Tavistock hold two mid-week Late Nights this year. The suggested dates are: Wednesday 4 December Wednesday 18 December
The Events Team would very much welcome your thoughts, ideas, responses etc. to our plans and would urge you to PLEASE get in touch with us as soon as possible to let us know what you think!
Please vote on Wednesday Late Nights by clicking on the link below and replying either YES or NO.
Email: christmas@tavistockbid.co.uk
New chairman looks ahead to an exciting year
Friday, 18/Jan/2013
TONY Whitehead, owner of Mayflower Galleries, has been elected as the new chair on the board of Tavistock BID.
Adam Fleet, BID manager, said with both old and new faces around the table, the first board meeting of 2013 captured the passion of the recent annual meeting, heralding a ‘fantastic’ start to the new year.
The four hour meeting on Thursday evening addressed many of the concerns raised at the annual meeting and looked at the key delivery areas for 2013.
Car parking, an ever present issue for businesses in Tavistock, is to become a fixed agenda item thus ensuring the views of the BID members are strongly represented.
The hard voluntary work of the directors will continue through the working groups focused on marketing and promotion, events, signage, communication and business support, all components of the business plan.
The first of the much called for quarterly forums is to be held at the Bedford Hotel on the March 7 at 6.30pm. This will be a great opportunity to connect with BID businesses to share news and views.
Tony said: ‘The year ahead will no doubt be as challenging as the last, but the board looks forward to engaging with our BID partners through either the discussion area on our web site or at the forthcoming quarterly forums in order to promote our joint interest in keeping Tavistock a vibrant and viable place for businesses to trade as well as a unique and interesting place for people to shop and visit.’
Adam Fleet said: ‘2012 was all about laying the foundation for a successful BID. 2013 is about delivery!’
• Pictured below left to right, new BID board member Mandy Ewings, representing the Original Barbershop, new BID chairman Tony Whitehead of Mayflower Galleries, and Adam Fleet, BID manager.
The Tavistock BID board have set some dates of members forum meetings. To be held at the Bedford Hotel in Gallery 26 on the following days at 6.30pm.
• Thursday 7th March • Thursday 6th June • Thursday 5th September • Thursday 5th December
These forum meetings are open to all Tavistock BID members, i.e. levy payers. The forums will be casual with no fixed agenda. A chance for members to talk to the board and our partners about any subject that concerns our Business Improvement District.
Also the date for the next AGM will be Thursday 17th October 2012 6.30pm at the Bedford Hotel.
Another supermarket for Tavistock?
Wednesday, 12/Dec/2012
There are reports of attempts to open another supermarket in the town. There is suggestion of this being located at the Focus site. Tavistock BID would like to ensure its members are represented in this discussion so we need to gather your thoughts and feelings on this subject. Please add to this conversation. Click here to join in
