A NEW business club supported by Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has opened in Cirencester.

Cirencester Business Club held its first meeting on Friday, October 14, at Ingleside House. 

Introducing the newly formed club, Anthony Millard spoke of having a forum where local business representatives would be invited to listen to speakers who would set a theme for discussion and where members could raise issues that concerned them in a non-political setting.

It is anticipated that Mr Clifton-Brown will attend each meeting to understand the impact of the pace of change in Cirencester and to ensure that progress can be made through, if necessary, intervention from him with local officials.

Initially those attending the meeting were asked to set out their concerns which ranged from the current and future car parking needs for the town, the strategic planning for communications and roads and the consequences of the pace of change with the impact of the large housing developments with infrastructure and employment issues.

Mr Clifton-Brown MP opened the discussion by asking: How can businesses thrive by better forward planning, roads and car parking?

The MP emphasised that to ensure that there was a strategic plan involving all aspects of the town’s development, Cirencester Town Council and the Cotswold District Council had to develop, publish and have approval for a Local Neighbourhood Plan as soon as possible.

He also agreed that these plans needs to outline a vision for 10 to 20 years ahead. This would then give businesses the opportunity to understand what was planned where and when.

Cllr Stuart Tarr, of Cirencester Town Council, commented: "I think Geoffrey is right. We do as a Town Council need to return to reviving earlier thoughts of a Neighbourhood Plan building on the planning documents and Concept Statement that have already been produced.

"I am sure this will receive active consideration in the weeks and months ahead, noting that some of the costs have already been met and can be carried forward into the costs of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan."

There were also discussions on the road systems and car parking, the opportunities a growth hub would offer, and the development of employment opportunities to ensure more people worked within the area.

The next meeting will be on February 3, 2017. 

Email BusinessClub@gremian.co.uk or message 07715567802 if you are interested in more details.