A GROUP of Cirencester businesses have hit out at Cotswold District Council’s proposals to redevelop a town centre car park, saying that they will “kill” the town.

Retailers have come together to express their disbelief at the plans for the Forum car park, which could lead to a loss of valuable parking in the town centre.

Matthew Fuller, of Cirencester Estate Agents Cain and Fuller, said: “On a daily basis, many of my customers already struggle to get into the office for appointments. I dread to think what it would be like without the Forum car park.

“Cirencester needs to be a ‘go to’ destination for out-of town residents and tourists alike.

“By not managing and creating parking the council is killing the town. Closing the Forum car park is simply not an option.”

Cotswold District Council (CDC) issued a statement in August confirming that it was engaged in “exploratory discussions” with Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) representatives regarding the possible benefits of a joint development within the centre of Cirencester, including the Forum car park, magistrates courts and police station.

The announcement has angered and alarmed many Cirencester businesses, who have formed a lobby group to raise their concerns with the district council and the town council.

They plan to present them with a petition signed by staff and customers. They denounced the scheme as reckless and out of touch at a time when many businesses are reporting issues with lack of parking damaging trade in the town centre.

Businesses are demanding that CDC immediately withdraw from any marketing of the Forum car park as well as a commitment to engage with businesses to properly understand the parking needs of the town.

An open meeting is also planned which will provide a platform for all businesses in the town centre to air their views.

Despite assurances that extra parking would be provided by a new multi-story car park on the Waterloo site, traders believe the retention of parking at the Forum is crucial.

Sally Marks, owner of French Grey Interiors said: “I have no doubt that we cannot do without the Forum Car Park and would like to say that this year has been one of the worst trading years in our history, so to close a car park nearby would make matters much worse.”

Augusta Wreay, Corn Hall Markets manager, added: “The very fact that the redevelopment of the Forum car park is even under consideration is a clear indication of how out of touch CDC is. This car park must be preserved and protected at all costs.”

The PCC completed the purchase of the magistrates courts building in the town last September and now own a sizeable site, incorporating their current police station.Cotswold District Council owns the adjacent Forum car park and entered into a formal agreement with the PCC to explore whether they should jointly put their properties up for sale.

Cllr Nick Parsons, CDC acting leader and cabinet member for forward planning, stressed that parking was the number one priority. He said: “The Council recognises the importance of car parking in the town centre and through its Local Plan it makes clear that only when sufficient additional car parking has been provided, will consideration be given to the future of any town centre sites. Where land is identified as surplus to requirements the Council will consider its redevelopment for alternative, beneficial town centre uses, in consultation with residents and businesses.

"The agreement to work with the Police and Crime Commissioner to secure the future of the Magistrates Court and Police Station safeguards against unwelcome speculative development proposals for uses which may not support the health and vitality of Cirencester’s important retail centre.

"We will be working in partnership with the Town Council and other interested parties, including the retail community, to create a plan that shapes future development, community space and infrastructure in a way that enhances the existing assets in the centre while encouraging inward investment to ensure future prosperity."

He added: "The District and Town Councils will be running a major town centre conference to discuss these issues in early December. Details of this event will be published later this month.”