ABERYSTWYTH businesspeople have been urged to reject a scheme that would see them pay into a central fund to help boost trade.

A ballot on whether a Business Improvement District should be launched in Aberystwyth is currently being held with a closing date for responses of 14 March.

But Tom Trevarthen, of the Crimson Rhino cafe in Northgate Street, insisted that businesses are in a better position to decide what is best for them and businesses can join forces without having to pay a fee through a levy on their business rates.

While Ceredigion Council has backed the scheme, Mr Trevarthen said he was aware that there were a number of businesses in Aberystwyth with concerns.

A letter drafted by Mr Trevarthen and signed by a range of businesses including Spartacus, Lampeter House, TJ Davies, Maeth y Maesydd, Rickety Ramshackle and Columbine Florists, says: “The issue comes down to who is best placed to spend the money they proposed to collect. We believe that we all know our businesses best. We know our own priorities.

“We know what marketing is worthwhile and what isn’t. We know our own issues. We believe business owners are, by our very nature, good at solving our own problems.

“The people who support the BID have good intentions, but we believe that when it comes to it our money will not be spent wisely."