OWNERS of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre - Dransfield Properties - have confirmed there will be a Starbucks in Stroud.
They previously declined to comment but now say that Starbucks will begin work on the former Poundland unit this October.
What does Dransfield say?
Mark Dransfield managing director said: “We have made huge steps forward with our redevelopment work in Stroud with phase four nearing completion.
“The views from part of our community on the announcement of Starbucks joining us have been heard and I would urge anyone unhappy with my decision to contact my office and I will meet with them to hear their concerns and explain why I have taken this decision.
“I have invested with a number of independent businesses to help them achieve their goals and, as a family business, we will always support local traders but no town can exist without a mixture of national and local businesses.”
Dransfield also said despite Starbucks being an international coffee chain the Stroud coffee shop would be operated by a UK based franchise.
READ MORE: Stroud MP has firm views on Starbucks plans
They also confirmed the size of the unit and would be 1,450 sq ft next to the new medical centre on King Street.
A spokesperson said: “Originally the developers had intended the ground floor unit to be a pharmacy rounding off the full medical service offer.
“Despite best efforts over the last two years, no pharmacy has been willing to relocate their licence to operate at the premises.”
A petition to stop the multinational chain opening at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre has been signed by over 3,000 people since being launched two weeks ago.
Among those who have signed it are former Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell, Labour candidate Simon Opher and Green candidate Pete Kennedy.
Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie also said she would rather see a local business there.
She said: “All jobs and investment are welcome but there are plenty of coffee businesses that are much better than the multinationals like Starbucks.
“Our high streets are also already under enough pressure.
“I want to understand what the options are and why Starbucks are even being considered as I want a local business there."
“I have met with Mark Dransfield and with his team twice in the last 2 weeks to help understand more and obtain the facts. It is regrettable that (as they have reported) a Pharmacy could not be found that were prepared to take on the space originally allocated to them, where Starbucks is now earmarked to go.
The planning class needed to occupy that unit today is no different to that in existence for Poundland or Woolworths before it, I understand - hence the relatively seamless transition.
Tony Davey, chair of the Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce, said: "There is clear opposition voiced across social media to Starbucks renting that unit but, for balance, some supporters of it too.
"There are, by my count, 31 businesses in town where coffee and tea form the major or part of their offering already.
"In the larger part of town, where 20 of the 31 are located, they are well distributed and the footfall in the town generally supports that.
"The introduction of another coffee shop does not add to the diversity of businesses in the town, but there are other units across the town available for businesses wishing to move here.”
You can view the petition on Stroud Against Starbucks here.
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