FREE parking may come to Stonehouse and Painswick but not Stroud, to the dismay of a local businessman.

District councillors have voted to explore the possibility of scrapping parking charges in the first two towns, with an eye to the benefit it may bring to businesses on high streets.

Their vote came off the back of the council dropping plans to bring charges to council car parks in Nailsworth, Dursley, Wotton-under-Edge and Stratford Park after opposition from residents and traders.

But Stroud, the only other town in the district aside from Stonehouse and Painswick with parking charges, was left out of the review - a move that Andrew Watton, a property consultant based in the town, described as "disgusting" to the SNJ as councillors took a break from their debate at Ebley Mill earlier this month.

He later said: "There is every chance that our town will end up subsidising car parking in every other town and car park in the district."

The district council's leader, Doina Cornell of Labour, has rebutted Mr Watton's fears Stroud could end up dishing out more than it gets back.

"It’s a shame people want to say Stroud subsidises other parts of the district - as the largest centre Stroud has important services and facilities paid for by the district council that other towns don’t, and likewise other towns contribute council taxes and rates and receive different services from each other depending on need that can’t be exactly compared."

Cllr Cornell also offered assurances parking in Stroud is still due to be examined.

"There will be a strategic review of Stroud car parks to ensure that it’s a service that works for the council and for both local people and all the many visitors that come to the town from the district and further afield."

The prospect of free parking has already been welcomed by Stonehouse traders, with the town's vape shop and hairdressers saying it would suit the way shoppers tend to quickly nip in to the town.