Tavistock Council cancels Goose Fair
The authority were not able to ensure all the necessary safety arrangements around Plymouth Road and Bedford Square
Tavistock Council has backed out of its involvement in the annual Goose Fair after it decided it couldn’t stick to government’s COVID guidelines.
On Wednesday the council announced that it wasn’t able to ensure all necessary safety arrangements around Plymouth Road and Bedford Square, where the event normally takes place.
In a statement, Tavistock town council said: “In making its decision the council recognised the uncertainty of the current situation regarding the pandemic and the need to ensure the health and public safety of residents and visitors in situations where large numbers of people attend and mingle at outside events in a restricted area.
“It also acknowledged the adverse and deteriorating incidence of covid-19 in Devon as most recently assessed by the public health authorities and the accompanying expectation Autumn will place more pressure on the NHS, including the seasonal resurgence of flu and other respiratory diseases as well as Covid infections.
“It therefore came to the view that it was regrettably not possible for the Town Council and its partners to deliver the event with an acceptable level of assurance.”
Tavistock Town Council
But, although some regular visitors to the event may be saddened by the news of its cancellation, some businesses will be relieved.
In July, retailer Fergus Biram from Roots and Vines in Tavistock, suggested there was already too much emphasis on the Goose Fair.
“Maybe focus more on businesses that are in Tavistock at the moment because I feel like there’s a lot of focus on things like Goose Fair.
“They draw in a lot of money for the council but they’re very detrimental to the businesses in Tavistock.
“That three day stint that the whole of Tavistock is involved in is great for families but the town itself goes into lockdown. No-one shops in town, the businesses that are open don’t take any money.
“Businesses that are here and pay rates and rent etc are losing out.”
Fergus Biram from Roots and Vines - Retailer in Tavistock
Although the involvement by Tavistock council has been cancelled, it will not affect the fairground rides normally situated in the Bedford Car Park or the Bus station which are administered by West Devon Borough Council – not the town council.
The artisan market scheduled to be held in Butchers’ Hall is also still expected to take place.