ONE of Bristol's best known businessmen has backed the growing calls for an elected mayor for the city.

Rob Law, the man behind the incredibly successful Trunki suitcase phenomenon, has added his voice to the debate surrounding the city.

And like many others in the business community he believes Bristol is failing to compete with other regional cities.

The Evening Post decided to launch a debate on the state of the city following the failure of several schemes in the city.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has warned that it could move elsewhere after it was refused planning permission to expand its ground in Bishopston.

And Bristol City's multi-million plans to move to a new stadium are still caught up in legal wrangling and the ice rink is to close later this year.

Other major schemes which have collapsed though lack of funding or political squabbling have included a much needed tram system and a project to build an indoor arena.

Land close to Temple Meads station was earmarked for the arena and £20 million was pumped into the project. However, the South West Regional Development Agency, which will cease to exist in March, pulled the plug on the project because it was too expensive.

Rob Law, who was appointed MBE for his services to business last year, has added his name to growing list of people calling for action.

He said; "What this city badly needs is some sort of iconic structure, building or project.

"We do have the Clifton Suspension Bridge but that was built more than 150 years ago. We do not have any modern statement.

"The fact is that it is almost impossible to get anything done in Bristol for a number of reasons.

"The problem is basically that we have too many councils fighting to protect their own interests. Because of the way the councils are set up they all have conflicting interests. There is no one who has the whole of the interests of the Bristol area at heart."

Mr Law famously went on to Dragons' Den with his idea for a child's suitcase only to be given a public mauling by the judging panel.

Undeterred Mr Law has gone on to make his brand one of the best known in the country and Trunki suitcases are now sold across the world in huge numbers.

He said: "It is important that Bristol competes on the same level as other cities and at the moment it is not doing that.

"We need to have the right facilities and attractions to make people want to come and live and work here. It is vital for city because companies who want to expand have to be able to attract people.

"This is a great place to live but the problem is that Bristol does not advertise the fact. That can make it difficult to recruit people."

Mr Law believes that a high-profile mayor in the mould of Boris Johnson is needed in the city.

He said: "What we need is someone to drive the city forward and take us into the future, that role is not going to be carried out by someone at the council.

"There is too much in-fighting going on and we need someone who can rise above all that. We need a strong character with ideas and vision. A charismatic character who can lead the city and actually get things done.

"That is why the debate surrounding the mayor is so important for the city. We have a real chance to actually make a difference in the way things are done in Bristol."

Other business leaders who have criticised the lack of progress in Bristol include Alex Reilley. the co-founder of the Loungers group, and Tristan Hogg from Pieminister.

Peter Hargreaves, who has helped to build one of Bristol's most successful firms stockbrokers Hargreaves Lansdown has made his views about Bristol's politicians abundantly clear.

The multi-millionaire once famously described the city council as a "bunch of idiots" and claimed he could do a better job running Bristol than the council.