HAVING read the latest BCP free magazine that has just popped through my door it is wonderful to read of all the new and exciting plans for Poole high street, Boscombe, high street and the Lansdowne coming forward.

This is all very good but at the heart of every regeneration proposal like these there has to be good quality sustainable businesses.

Until the powers that be recognise that ludicrously high business rates and sky high rents are seriously moderated we will continue to see boarded up shops and empty units littering our high streets.

David Smith

Bournemouth