WITH reference to your article “David and Goliath”, 9/8/2017 please note that the comments attributed to John Marjoram were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the town council’s official view.

Residents of Stroud town and the wider district have made abundantly clear through both ours and the district council’s consultations, that their preference is for the Sub Rooms to remain in public ownership and managed by a community organisation.

The town council is therefore funding and supporting the development of a bid which would see the freehold of the Subscription Rooms being transferred to us and the building then leased to and operated by a community organisation, the newly formed Stroud Trust.

There are many excellent precedents for public assets being successfully transferred to local councils working in partnership with community organisations, and thriving in local ownership.

We already have experience of taking on a community venue with Lansdown Hall and recently transferred Bank Gardens, Sims Clock and Stroud Cemetery from Stroud District Council.

Our bid is being developed by Locality, which has a very strong track record in this field and we are confident that we will be able to submit a strong proposal to Stroud District Council which will both meet their need to cut costs and offer a viable and sustainable future for the Sub Rooms as a community venue.

In the circumstances, we certainly do not see ourselves and our partners as David facing Goliath.

For the record: the Subs Community Association (mentioned in your article), who represent many of the groups that regularly use the Sub Rooms, are not planning to submit a bid, but are being consulted on our business plan.

Kevin Cranston

Stroud town mayor Stroud Town Council