THE LACK of superfast broadband in parts of the Stroud district is putting businesses at a disadvantage, a meeting heard.

Stroud District Council chief executive David Hagg said the absence of a decent service in patches of the district is a ‘real threat’ to the competitiveness of small businesses.

Speaking to members of Stroud Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Mr Hagg said that if BT and Openreach did not provide the coverage SDC would look elsewhere.

“We as a council are trying to encourage others to come into this market” he said.

At the same meeting Mr Hagg pledged to maintain good links with SBN to provide more information about its business specific programmes including opportunities for match funding and other available resources.

SBN members also raised the need for office space which could be rented per hour or per day to enable them to host business meetings or to use as an alternative place of work.

Introducing the session about how the authority supports small and micro businesses Mr Hagg explored the ways the council has invested into the Five Valleys stimulating businesses.

He pointed towards the canal regeneration programme, Stroud as a movie destination, work experience programmes and career advice sessions. He also praised small and micro businesses in the area.

“Ninety-seven per cent of employment is in companies like yours,” he told SBN members.