Sir, On a handful of occasions each year we serve a glass of wine with lunch on the yacht charters we organise. Legislation enacted by the previous Government forced us to obtain an alcohol licence, requiring a one-day course, a £190 application fee, an £180 annual fee and submission of ten copies of a 40-page form.
Our stocks (four bottles of white wine) were inspected separately by the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Health and Safety Executive, district council and licensing officer. I fear that David Cameron is too late to save small businesses from the endemic creation of self-serving public sector work (report, Mar 7).
Richard Ward
Director, Solent Events
Lymington, Hants