COUNCILLORS need to think outside the box to improve parking in Cirencester before it cripples trade, business leaders have warned.

Cotswold District Council (CDC) announced last week they would be conducting a long-awaited parking review of Cirencester.

Town and district councillors, members of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce and residents’ associations will all have their say on the issue with a CDC board taking on their ideas, Parking in the town has been criticised by businesses recently, with many reporting a negative impact on trade.

In April the Standard reported that Ed Shepherd, of Ed Shepherd Photography, had decided to relocate his businesses after just six months in the town due to parking issues.

Members of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce have been lobbying CDC for months to take action on parking.

Simon Large, of project managing firm Magna, is the chamber’s new president. He said: “We very much welcome the new project board, and it’s not before time, but they need to go into it with an open mind.

“Parking is already a problem and next year there will be 600 people working in St James’ Place with another 2,000 homes possibly coming – where will those people park?

“We need more parking for the growth of the town.

“If it’s not sorted, parking problems could cripple Cirencester.”

Members have said that the district council needs to think outside the box to find a solution to the problem, perhaps selling some car parks to private companies who could then invest in them.

Pay on exit car parks would also go a long way to helping tourism in the town as people could leave their car without having to rush back to avoid a ticket, they said.

Oli Christie, CEO of Cirencester-based Neon Play, said: “The lack of parking in Cirencester is becoming a genuine concern for all businesses and shops in the town – companies are leaving and people are avoiding the town for meetings, shopping and eating.

"We must ensure we don’t lose any more parking provision and that a multi-story car park is planned and built as soon as possible, as this is going to be the only way the town can sustain its current growth of business and housing. “

Cllr Chirs Hancock, CDC's member responsible for parking issues, said the council recognised the urgency of solving the problem.

“We value the business community's opinions and will do our utmost to ensure that we can satisfy their requirements – and those of local residents – as the town continues to grow and prosper,” he said.