Jacky Orsler, of Blown Studio Glass, Old Market Square, Dartmouth, writes:

We rent one of the units in the Market Square and our gallery has been open since August 2011, having now fully relocated our gallery from Smith Street to the Old Market Square.

We are normally open six-seven days a week from Easter until Christmas.

During January and February, Dartmouth is notoriously quiet, and we have always cut our opening hours during this period. We've had a gallery in the town for seven years, so we act on our experience.

All of us in the Old Market Square are doing our very best to run viable businesses in the town, however, we do not get any support from our town council landlord, which has reneged on many aspects of its side of the agreement.

Even during the peak season very few people venture into the square as, from the outside, it looks like an empty, scruffy shell of a building.

If the market looked attractive – many of the traders have made valid and tasteful suggestions only to be told that we are not permitted to do anything as it's a listed building – people might venture further than Foss Street and see the fantastic selection of shops, galleries and cafes inside.

It seems to me that the council has far too much freehold property to look after and the councillors are incapable of controlling and running it all, never mind looking after the town's best interests.

They've either bitten off more than they can chew or they're just lazy. They're taking the rent from the units now, so why bother to improve the facilities for the shoppers and traders.

It appears they've now just washed their hands of the whole project and it's now the traders problem not theirs.

What happened to the redecoration of the exterior and interior which we were assured would be complete by Easter 2012?

What happened to the bunting we were promised for the building exterior?

Why has nothing been done about the gaps in the shop front glazing – fine perhaps for an indoor shopping centre but totally inadequate for one exposed to all weathers and a huge problem when trying to insure the contents?

We've had no help with promoting the market – another broken promise – were not consulted about signage.

If we had been I'm sure it would have been suggested that the signs were affixed to a prominent site on the building, not on the inside of the doors so when shut no-one can see them.

The list goes on. Even the public toilets in the market, which were revamped at a cost of £101,550 – apparently a 'reasonable price to pay for a top quality toilet' which it is not, seem to have been abandoned.

They're normally in a state which makes them totally unusable unless you carry with you rubber gloves, disinfectant and a large scouring pad. It's one of the most unpleasant loos I've ever encountered.

Come on Dartmouth Town Council, pull your finger out, stick to your agreements and stop damning others where many of the problems lie firmly at your own feet.

Old Market Square really could be a jewel in Dartmouth's crown, but only if we, the council and tenants, work together and form a plan of action to improve the situation.