We are delighted that the TDCC Chair for 2018-19 is Tim Randell of Olijam Communications.

He joins Richard, Annette and Clair on the committee, as they have stayed in post for another year.

As reported in the Tavistock Times Gazette, at the AGM on 05 February Tim said:

‘As chairman I want to help the team deliver a results-driven agenda. I want to set objectives that are achievable and measurable. In summary these are the four points I want to focus on:

‘Number one, Tavistock Business Improvement District: I want to continue the campaign started by ex-Chairman Mike Harper, of ensuring the BID is making best use of the monies raised from local businesses in the town and that those funds and resources are properly directed to promoting and improving our town.

‘Number two, communications; with my background in publishing and marketing this is a chance for me to pass on some particular skills to other small business owners in this area and improve the way the Chamber is promoted and perceived.

‘Number three, dressing the town; the centre of Tavistock is having a rough patch, with many empty shops that have been left looking in such a terrible state as to be a visual drag on the whole town.

‘My personal campaign for the year will be to find a way to bring together landlords, the Town Council, BID, West Devon Borough Council, the press and local businesses in a joint project to dress the windows of each of these empty premises.

‘Number four, membership; by improving the Chamber’s communications strategy I want to encourage local businesses and charities to join the Chamber and get involved. There are many benefits that come with being a member and we need to reach out and broadcast these more effectively.’

Outgoing chairman Mike Harper said: ‘This year has been a year all about building bridges and relationships; we have now built the most transparent and effective tripartite coalition between the Chamber, Tavistock BID and Tavistock Town Council that I think I have ever seen since I’ve been involved.

‘All three organisations are not only determined to deliver on their individual goals and aspirations but now see and actively use the benefit of working together.

‘The coming years are going to be very interesting and vitally important for the viability of Tavistock. What we do now will have far reaching consequences both intended and unintended.

‘I hand over to my successor in the knowledge that there is a fantastic team at the Chamber who have all worked extremely hard to get us where we are now and will continue working extremely hard to keep us moving forward.’