A LEADING town trader says businesses in Petersfield have been let down by East Hampshire District Council.

Director of Petersfield Marketing and local goldsmith Trevor Towner has accused district councillors of failing to understand the problems facing businesses.

Mr Towner also claimed councillors had no grasp of their own economic strategy.

At a meeting of EHDCÕs central area community committee councillors agreed to award the Petersfield Town Marketing Initiative (PMTI) the third of its three-yearly grants of £6,500.

But while reviewing progress made by the group, set up to promote trade in the town, some members of the committee suggested the organisation should stand more on its own two feet.

A grant from Petersfield Town Council has been reduced by £1,500 to £2,500.

It was also recognised that a contribution from the business sector is set to be reduced by around £7,000 to £4,500.

At the meeting district councillor for Petersfield Brian Dutton said: ÒI would like to see more matched funding from the business sector because this is their town, these are their shops and I believe they ought to put more funds in to attract people to the town.Ó

Mr Towner says Mr Dutton has failed to understand issues facing Petersfield businesses.

He said: ÒThere are now many branches of national multiples in the town including banks, building societies and estate agents whose marketing and charitable funds are centrally located.

ÒFrom most of these businesses there is little or no contribution to local marketing or local charities.

ÒIf EHDC were allowed a small levy on all local businesses then all businesses in the town would contribute directly to local marketing and promotion.Ó

Mr Towner said he would remind councillors that it was originally a recommendation of EHDCÕs economic development department to set up Petersfield Marketing Initiative to oversee the PMTI.

He said: ÒThis initiative was instigated by EHDCÕs economic development department after many meetings.

ÒAt each meeting members of the business community expressed their concerns about funding for the project but they were assured that the monies would be forthcoming when the required structure of a limited company was in place to receive funds.

ÒIt took much persuasion by EHDC officers to get representatives of four groups to agree to accept that this was the way forward. Sadly we trusted EHDC and they have let us down.Ó

Mr Towner also pointed out that much of the work to promote the town and its businesses is carried out by a team of volunteers.

ÒMany are owners of small businesses in the town and are continually asked by various organisations for financial contributions as well as contributions in time,Ó he said.

Mr Towner said the £6,500 granted by EHDC to PMTI represents less than the amount one small business pays in business rates in one year. He said all other services to the town provided by businesses are never costed.

He added: ÒThe business community has always stood on its own two feet and it was only because of EHDCÕs insistence that the market town initiative was the way forward that change was agreed.Ó