THE owner of a run-down former shop blighting Stroud High Street is to face prosecution after Stroud District Councillors voted to take action yesterday, Tuesday.

Members of the council's development control committee voted to take action against the owner of 15 High Street after being presented with a council report that slammed him for letting the building get into such a ramshackle state.

If found guilty the owner could face a fine of up to £1,000 and if the building is still not given the necessary facelift he could face further fines of up to £100 a day until he completes the work.

The long list of improvements to the property include repairing the guttering, painting the shop front and removing the reams of paper and posters that cover the windows.

Officers stated in the report that: "The general state and appearance of this property has been the source of complaint for some time owing to its detrimental impact on the town centre.

"Despite the availability of grant money and an improving economic climate the appearance of this property continues to deteriorate despite the significant levels of investment taking place in other town centre premises."

The decision to prosecute follows a string of warnings from Stroud District Council about the state of the property.