National shop comes to town as store is sold (From Stroud News and Journal)

National shop comes to town as store is sold

STROUD'S retail sector received a massive boost this week after it was revealed that a big national name is moving into town.

After years of complaints by traders and shoppers, the Grade Two listed Smith and Lee store in High Street has just been sold to a developer for nearly £500,000.

Estate agent Andrew Watton, who handled the sale, would not reveal who the buyer is but he told the SNJ the shop would be a national name.

He also revealed that the developer may split the building and have two shops because there are two frontages.

"The idea is to have one shop opening out onto High Street and to take advantage of the other frontage in Kendrick Street," said Mr Watton, a commercial estate agent based in Cornhill.

"This is great news for Stroud because we are getting rid of a question mark which has been prejudicial to the vibrancy of the town."

The empty shop has long been an eyesore and was in such a bad state that Stroud District Council considered issuing a compulsory purchase order.

Other traders welcomed the news.

Andrew Hill, manager of the Sunshine Health Shop, said: "I am absolutely delighted. I think Stroud needs national names to move forward.

"We need to attract shoppers who are not already using the town and the only way we are going to do this is by having the better known shops."

It was also revealed this week that planners are being recommended to allow Costa Coffee to open a branch in Stroud following a site visit.

Several traders are opposed to the plans for the 80-seater cafe in the former New Look shop in High Street.