I returned the other morning from visiting the Hove Arches showroom – a group of ten newly-built small business outlets on the promenade close to the Alfresco restaurant.

I would like to thank those who showed me around for answering my varied questions. The outlets can only be used for “creative content”.

My major concern is the high overhead costs involved. After talking with the man at the site, he eventually admitted that a full year’s rates, rent and general overheads (water, electricity) would come to around £15,000.

The shops at the Hove Library end of Church Road cost less than this. This annual sum is comparable to various shops in the more sought- after locations of Church Road.

Given the uncertainty over the i360 and its construct, the general upset it may cause “when” it is finally built and the fact the success of a seafront business relies heavily on good weather and is normally viewed as seasonal, I am disappointed with the hard-nosed business attitude taken by the council.

Here is a wonderful opportunity to help and encourage the self-employed entrepreneurs of Brighton and Hove where designated “creative content” is more important than the hard-nosed financial greed presently shown.

I would dearly love to know how any Arches business can attract £15,000 overheads plus a further £30,000 to live on – £45,000 “profit” – from selling art or holding creative workshops or a hairdressing salon or anything else creative for that matter.

Is it no surprise that a majority of other similar-sized outlets along the promenade sell only food or alcohol to survive, where the general overheads are presently lower.

I hope the council finds ten businesses which are willing to take on the huge financial gamble required.

Sadly, this is a wasted opportunity and does not show the Green council to be a sympathetic friend of the small business entrepreneur.

Chris Stonor, Fourth Avenue, Hove