Plans to turn Plymouth's waterfront into a business improvement district will be unveiled today.

It would mean businesses paying a levy for a greater say on how the area is run.

The waterfront partnership is holding a series of meetings for businesses at the Holiday Inn today and will ballot members from February 1st until March 2nd.

But some firms say the city council should pay for any improvements needed and that they don't think they'll get much for their money.

Chris Unwin is the landlord of a number of Barbican pubs including the cider press. He's urging businesses to use their vote as even if they abstain, they could still have to pay the levy.

The waterfront partnership say the city council already contributes signifcantly to the area and that this will allow local businesses to hold them accountable.

They add that the money will allow them to take on a night time economy manager, put on more events and that more than half of businesses would pay no more than five hundred pounds extra a year.