Legal action threat for shabby shop (From Stroud News and Journal)

Legal action threat for shabby shop

A LEGAL battle could soon be underway to decide the fate of a shabby shop in Stroud's high street.

The former Smith and Lee ironmongers between Help the Aged and the Penny Farthing has courted controversy for many years with its scruffy image offending the powers that be.

Back in October Stroud District Council took the unusual step of threatening to take the owner of the building, Frank Faryab, to court unless he took steps to improve appearances of the Grade II listed building.

Mr Faryab told the council he would have the work done by mid-December and officers agreed to hold fire on further action to give him a chance to make good on his word.

So far paper lining the windows has been removed and the glass washed but several more serious maintenance jobs listed on the council's wish list remain to be done.

"He gave us an undertaking and hasn't kept to it which we're rather disappointed at," said council spokesman David Marshall.

"We're now gathering evidence preparotary to a prosecution and we think the case is pretty cut and dry."

Mr Marshall said that provided the case went the council's way Mr Faryab would initially be fined and ordered to carry out the work by a particular date and if he still did not comply the court had powers to fine him daily until the maintenance was complete.

Vicky Hancock, Stroud town centre manager said: "It is the part of town that has the highest footfall and commands the highest rents and we feel having a poorly maintained and vacant shop in this postition sends the wrong message to investors.

"We want the landlord to do it up either to let it or to sell it to help with the regeneration of the town."

The SNJ was unable to contact Mr Faryab at the time of going to print.