WENDY JONES, of Market Street, Dartmouth, writes:

As the owner of a small business in Dartmouth, I write to say how unhappy I am regarding the Business Improvement District and the board of directors.

Apart from the high business rates I already have to pay, now another £250 has been added for the Dartmouth bid.

I was initially given the opportunity to vote for or against, I voted against the bid, and was given no opportunity to opt out, that's democracy for you.

The board of directors have already thrown a party to celebrate the success of the bid and pat each other on the back.

They have now engaged a London-based advertising company, at great expense no doubt, the first suggested idea for Dartmouth to become royal, whoopee! I'm sure that will make people flood into town.

Lastly they are now advertising for a project manager in the local paper, offering the grand salary of £25,000 per year, paid for by the businesses in Dartmouth.

Please give us a break, or see a lot more small businesses like us bite the dust, and leave Dartmouth in the hands of the large high street chains.