Merrywalks boost (From Stroud News and Journal)

Merrywalks boost

THE £20 million shopping and leisure complex at Stroud's Merrywalks could turn the tide on town trade says its boss.

Tycoon Bill Wrather was addressing Stroud Chamber of Trade last Wednesday ten years after buying Merrywalks and months before a sparkling new extension opens.

He said: "We think this is going some way to getting the so-called critical mass back. "It's going to be a pretty smart thing, too."

Citing the example of the Welsh town of Ross-on-Wye, which has built an international book reputation, Mr Wrather called for Stroud to develop its own theme.

"If you could think of a theme you could maybe go not that far but down that route," he said. "Maybe we should thing about making Stroud well known.

Due to open in July, the new complex will include a six-screen cinema, a bowling centre and a Wilkinson store - "a supermarket without food" - expected to draw up to 700 shoppers an hour at peak times.

The centrepiece of the mall will be a two-tonne steam engine once used in the Five Valleys. Mr Wrather told traders that late night opening would be considered.

"If people want it open at night and there is a consensus to do that I think we will keep it open," he said.

Parking tariffs will be set to give the best of both worlds - "a bit for profit and at a price that will not dissuade".

Merrywalks is among a host of properties nationwide owned by Mr Wrather's Manchester-based holding company Streetlands.

It is made up of 12 companies, each with one or more properties within it, mainly shopping oriented and "probably centres that have lost their way either through bad management or not having kept up with the times".

"That was the case with Stroud," he said. Asked by one trader if Somerfield will remain in Merrywalks, Mr Wrather replied: "I believe they will stay. If they don't there are other food people I think will take it."

Acting chamber of trade chairman Rob Fear said: "May I say how excited we are about this and thank you for investing £20 million in the town."