On Thursday 12th March 2020, Stroud Chamber of Trade requested of the Chief Executive of Stroud District Council for an urgent suspension of charges in their car parks. This would help the local economy in these very challenging times, and remove a financial barrier (all be it small to those on a reasonable wage) to those visiting town for essential supplies and business. Money spent within towns not only helps secure the jobs within it, but to improve the local community too.

Regrettably, not only have Stroud District Council failed to take the lead on this, they have declined it and responded simply with a list of support organised by Central Government (acknowledging Central Government are taking the lead on that). Locally, within the Town Council, we have received messages of support from many, but the District Council choose to maintain the imbalance which is unfair at the best of times - Stroud is the only town in the District where our District Council have not removed parking charges. Whilst in an ideal world we would want that imbalance addressed for a longer term, we have to accept the District Council will not support this as it is needs to fund the remainder of the District (who they actively support) using the visitors to Stroud. The Chief Executive has also commented that the matter rests with the full Council, but has offered no assistance with how this could be achieved or indeed that there is any appetite in doing so.

We see supermarket shelves stripped bare whilst shops in our town have the goods people need.

"Supporting local businesses to help create a sustainable and vibrant economy that works for all of us is one of the council's five key visions" should be an action, not a quote for PR.

The Chamber of Trade works to make our business and local community better for everyone; the businesses within it and those who rely on being able to do business in town, or to visit our town for leisure and recreation. We have concluded we cannot trust the District Council to do what is right for the town without additional evidence for the support of this request. We would like Stroud District Council to reconsider and demonstrate they do care about the town and those who need to visit and use it, that they do empathise with the situation and that they could seek to  take positive action. We request this only for the period of time until we are well into the recovery stage - so rebuilding the stability of our town from the damage of this health emergency. Our businesses can and will rebuild and strengthen, but they should be able to rely on the support of their District Council.