A Gloucester businessman says the city's new Business Improvement District (BID) must be kept completely independent of the city council.

David Purchase, owner of On Toast cafe in Gloucester Docks, wants safeguards to ensure the financing of the BID does not become a stealth tax.

Mr Purchase writes: "Congratulations to all those Gloucester 'bidders' who worked hard in achieving their aim to introduce a Business Improvement District to the heart of the City.

"The majority yes vote allows a levy to be collected from businesses within the City BID perimeters and should generate about £2.5million over a five year period to improve the area's security and environment.

"A word of caution; this levy cannot ever be allowed to be construed as a stealth tax on businesses, or used to help reduce service costs for The Gloucester City Council.

When the aim to keep streets within the BID zone in a pristine condition, this should be achieved in addition to the routine street cleaning being undertaken, not instead of it.

The committee should be seen as totally independent of council when financial decisions are made on what the levy is to be spent on and those on the committee should be serving for the good of the city and BID objectives, not for the good of an individual's business.

There has to be total pellucidity in terms of reference and process within The BID, with no risk of wasting city business money on 'Del Boy' schemes for city improvements.

If BID gets it right, those who travel from far afield to Gloucester to attend the great events organised by Marketing Gloucester and others will return on a 'normal' day, again and again. A safe and secure city, environmentally enhanced is a sort after destination, gaining prosperity for all.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk