Trade is booming (From Stroud News and Journal)

Trade is booming

BUSINESSES in and around Stroud are recruiting more staff than ever before,reflecting a new feeling of optimism in the area.

Job agencies in the district say they have more vacancies than they can fill and are calling for anyone who needs a job to get in touch.

Steve Declan, recruitment manager at the Westaff agency in Russell Street, Stroud, is amazed at the number of vacancies he has received in what is normally a quiet time of year.

"Westaff has been here 21 years but this is one of the few times we have had so many vacancies we can't fill," he said.

"This is right across the board, not just in retail but in manufacturing and other industries.

"There's a lot of vacancies in Stroud and we want to give them to people here rather than bringing in people from outside the area.

"A lot of it stems from employers being quite optimistic.

"If you look at the national trends people are slightly optimistic - but not as much as they are in Stroud."

In January, the SNJ reported how Stroud's booming economy was attracting big name brands such as Costa Coffee to the town.

Nigel Messenger, chair of Stroud Chamber of Trade, said business owners are keen to recruit because developments such as the canal, cinema complex and bowling alley indicate the area is on its way up.

"I hear from the traders all the time that it's difficult to recruit enough people and the right people," he said.

"I think there's a good amount of optimism because Stroud is slowly becoming a better place.

"I remember when I came to Stroud there were 35 empty shops. There are still some, but they have all got people queuing for them."