THERE is no reason why Merrywalks can't be a cultural asset as well as a commercial one.

The rest of Stroud works hard to be a community and every shop adds some kind of value to a visitors experience of the town.

This makes it obvious that Merrywalks would benefit by adding creative and cultural value instead of being a just a dull commercial experience (something Stroud has shown it doesn't respect and that one can find in any high street around the UK).

The biggest, some would say only, asset they have at the moment is the (admittedly very good) Wilko store!

In recent weeks, there has been much talk about the Merrywalks development, both in the Stroud News and Journal, on Facebook and by the people of Stroud on the streets and in cafes and pubs.

Now Dransfield have a real chance to do something positive for Stroud rather than just exploit it's good name and build some flats as some appear to think is their motive!

Plans for the site are unclear so taking firm steps to show the developers care and understand that creating something of a real benefit to the town would be a positive step towards them gaining the Stroud's trust and respect.

The addition of a quality cultural installation to Merrywalks would create a real destination experience - something it certainly isn't currently.

The grants and millions in the bank Dransfield have could pay for something individual and inspiring many times over and it would bring people to both the town and to the shopping centre and add so much more value commercially and creatively than it would cost.

One obvious local candidate would be Kit Williams.

His Wishing Clock in Cheltenham has been an amazing attraction, enchanting visitors for over 20 years.

For a more contemporary vision, and possibly a more exciting one, local artist Dan Rawlings currently has an installation as the centrepiece of the the internationally renowned Moniker Art Fair in London.

His work his been commissioned for public and private art collections and displays both indoors and outdoors around the country but he has nothing showcasing his talent in his hometown of Stroud.

Stroud is an individual and creative town and the Merrywalks development should reflect this and I hope that this letter spurs on the developers to commission something that will help them create a venue the town can be proud of and also reflect the spirit of the town.

Ms Alex Faith

Stroud