I WOULD like to respond to the letter from David Coole (Letters, September 28, ‘No to the BID’).

I have been a High Street retailer for over eight years, I own a town centre business established for more than 25 years. I have regularly attended the High Street retailers’ association, town centre partnership and chamber of commerce meetings.

The challenges facing Andover are complex and far from unique. Addressing these issues will not succeed without financial support and sector expertise. If David Coole knows of ‘alternatives to the BID’ that will provide the ‘millions of pounds of investment’ he says is required, then I feel he is morally obliged to share his expert knowledge of the location of this pot of gold.

He should also tell Colchester, Shrewsbury, Winchester, Romford and the rest of the towns on the long list of towns who have voted ‘yes’ to the BID to help their struggling town centres.

It will take extra money and expertise to stop the decline of our High Street like so many others, so let’s pull together and proudly support our High Street.

Rachel Belle, Andover Framing, High Street.