This town is dying. There are so many empty shops.  This cry is heard across the nation. 

It is a problem that will not go away. It is more likely to get worse. Not just in Gloucestershire but everywhere. 

There are two main reasons. Firstly, on line shopping. This is a growing factor and will increase.

Secondly, in the last 30 years too many out of town shopping centres have grown up. How can Dursley, Thornbury and Chipping Sodbury compete with Cribbs Causeway? 

How can Cricklade and Cirencester compete with the Swindon Orbital Centre?

Every town must think about its individual future and come up with an answer.  I have some.

Firstly, each town must take advantage of its own situation and character. Stroud has an interesting industrial past and important recent literary connection in Laurie Lee, Jilly Cooper and the Rev Awdry of Thomas Tank Engine fame.  In its centre is the

Subscription Rooms building. Surely there is space there for displays concerning these three figures. This could draw visitors into the heart of the town. Perhaps an industrial tour could also evolve. 

The town benefits from a strong market culture and there are encouraging signs of it developing.

Cirencester only toys with its obvious advantages. 

It offers two separate tours. 

One of the splendid parish church and the civic society organise a tour of the town explaining its rich history. Never do the twain meet! A marvellous tour could be created, involving both. 

Picnic potential in the Abbey Grounds could make the tours appealing to individuals and families. Someone needs to grasp the nettle and do that now!

The town council are bringing different events to the Market Place and this is helping but there are already three empty shops on the Market Place north side. The House of Fraser will make four.

All towns should think about parking charges.  Swindon Orbital, Witney and Nailsworth are free, while Stroud is very reasonable. Mrs Light and I wish to be loyal to Cirencester and scarcely go elsewhere, but the cost of parking influences us if we do.

It is certain each town is different but surely all have potential. To do nothing is not an option. 

Wherever you live action is needed now. It may be we see low cost housing appearing in town centres. That would be one real advantage from the current malaise of empty shops.