Stroud and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Making the Stroud District Better for Business

Welcome to the Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce

We are an organisation of individuals and companies trading in Stroud town centre and the surrounding Stroud District.

From sole traders to limited companies, both retail and commercial - we work together. 

The Chamber on Social Media

Chamber publish Commercial Property Audit

The Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce have published their January 2024 Commerical Property Audit for Stroud Town. The report shows an audit of 365 properties across the town and includes an interesting insight into where the town sits inline with the current national average of vacant commercial units.

Chamber working to Bolster Wotton

The Stroud & District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, supported by Wotton-under-Edge Town Council, have conducted a survey of town centre businesses to better understand the challenges businesses face and establish how the stakeholders can work together to better enable business and the town.

Read the full report, presented to the town in Thursday 18th January 2024.

Chamber Leads in Business Awareness of Support, Survey Shows

A survey commissioned by Stroud District Council identified businesses in the Stroud District  recognise The Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce as an organisation that provides support to businesses, more than any other organisation. 93% of the 200 businesses surveyed identified they were aware of the Chamber, the survey reports.
Tony Davey, Chairman of the Chamber commented, "It's great to know the work we do, as the only Chamber of Trade for the District, is noticed by the business community. The Stroud District offers so much to businesses and the communities is serves and we work tirelessly to bring businesses and customers together, in addition to raising awareness of the District offering for the Visitor Economy."


Crime and ASB Perceptions Survey

Following an increase in expressed concerns over Crime against Business and Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) in Stroud Town, the Chamber initiated a survey to better understand perceptions and the scale of the problem. Where only 14% of respondents in the August 2022 survey expressed they were concerned about Crime and ASB, this has now risen considerably to  52% and 71% report being impacted by ASB.

Perparing for Power Outages

During the energy crisis there is a risk of power outages, either planned or unplanned. This can pose a significant risk to businesses, so the Chamber has invested in creating some suggestions for mitigating some risks and making appropriate plans.

Worrying times ahead for Stroud District businesses

The Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce has published its August 2022 Business Outlook Survey results which have some concerning findings. 
Soaring, and uncapped, business energy prices (sometimes in excess of 400%) set to significantly impact many local businesses.

Bee Stroud Events to Get Town Buzzing!

Starting Saturday 15th May 2021, the Chamber are running and facilitating Bee Stroud - a campaign and series of fun events and educational challenges that will get the public engaging with bricks-and-mortar businesses across our District.Bee Stroud also gives other groups (including art and nature groups) the change to join in.

The "Stroud Is Open" Directory is now at VisitStroud.uk

Knowing who delivers, who offers click-and-collect, who can you shop online with whilst still supporting Local matters - not just in Stroud but across the Stroud District.

The "Stroud Is Open" Directory has changed - it is now online, searchable, covers businesses beyond Stroud town and still gives you all this and more!
Links to business Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, see who is open and when, and essential contact details are easy to access. With many businesses working on reduced hours during the Covid-19 Pandemic, we do our utmost to keep the Directory up to date with the latest opening hours.

Where you shop matters and we hope this Directory helps you shop local and easier too.
Please don't keep this news to yourself - please tell everyone!

VisitStroud.uk the new directory for the Stroud District


VisitStroud.uk App Download the VisitStroud.uk App for Android

Get the VisitStroud.uk App

You can now access the power of the VisitStroud.uk platform from the new VisitStroud.uk App for Android.

Access it now on the Google Play Store. 


Connecting Businesses and Communities during Lockdown

There are many local businesses, across the Stroud District, who are still working and ready to serve their community; either safely face-to-face, through distanced click-and-collect or call-and-collect or offer local deliveries too. Many more have online shops than every before. The special section of VisitStroud.uk and the VisitStroud.uk App for Android can help you find the perfect, local business across the Stroud District.
Go to VisitStroud.uk/Coronavirus or get the App from the Google Play Store. Join the 100+ visitors a day, buying local and discovering somewhere new. 

COVID-19 EMERGENCY Resources

For business advice, links, opinion and campaigns regarding the current Covid-19 crisis, please visit our dedicated Coronavirus page.

News Headlines

28 March 2021  |  Stroud wins The Sunday Times Best Place to Live 2021!

"Lively, local and fiercely independent, this town's community spirit made it our top pick" says The Sunday Times.  Helen Davies, The Times and The Sunday Times property editor commented "it has excellent schools, convenient transport links and easy access to lots of glorious green space. Best of all it has a unique independent spirit that comes to the fore in its impressive local food scene and at the brilliant weekly farmers’ market that brings the town and surrounding countryside together." Read more here.

2 October 2020 | 68 participants confirmed for October Fiver Fest!!!

Set to be the biggest ever Stroud Fiver Fest, an amazing 68 businesses have now registered for Stroud Fiver Fest and the posters are appearing in windows across the town and beyond!
Follow our Stroud Fiver Fest social media channels for more information - details of those are here. 

10 September 2020 | 56 participants confirmed in October 2020 Stroud Fiver Fest

56 independent businesses have confirmed their participation in the 3rd Stroud Fiver Fest to be held between 10th and 24th October 2020. This equals the number taking part in February and is likely to be amongst the highest participation in the UK for the National Fiver Fest. Read more here. 

26 August 2020 | Commercial Waste and Recycling Survey

We are currently conducting a survey of Stroud Town businesses and their existing Commercial Waste and Recycling arrangements. The purpose is to gather opinions about the approaches to such waste management and establish if there could be potential cost and environmental savings in a different, collective approach (for those who may choose to participate).

06 June 2020 | Stroud is Open - the Directory is launched

The first edition of the "Stroud is Open" Directory showcases 74 business, with the date they will open (if not already open), their operating  days and opening hours. Easy to recognise icons show whether the business offers takeaway, click-and-collect or ring-and-collect. It also links to their websites and Facebook pages, to access their latest updates.
As restrictions are lifted and businesses classed by the UK Government as "non essential" start to reopen, it's important visitors to Stroud can plan their visits based on the businesses they wish to go to. Understandably, given the challenges the pandemic poses, not all businesses will open at once and there will be reduced hours for some whilst business builds. The Directory serves to ensure the reader (who can download the Directory to a mobile device) can make informed decisions about the best time and day to visit.
Some customers will continue to shield, others keeping close to self-isolating protocols too. In acknowledgement of this, the Directory shows which businesses offer local delivery, including the Shop 'n' Drop cargo bike scheme and our own Stroud Delivers Local scheme. This ensures those who are staying at home can easily see the businesses that can serve them in our local community.
You can access the Directory at the top of this page.

29 May 2020 | Results of the Business Reopening Plans Survey are published

With 67% of those business who are currently closed stating they'll be ready to open, safely, immediately or within 2 days once the restrictions are lifted, we can see how much effort Stroud businesses are investing is getting ready to welcome customers again. But with footfall predicted to be down, what plans are there to balance serving the needs of the community with controlling business costs when footfall is down?

13 May 2020 | Welcome Back to Stroud Toolkit Launched

Over the last 4 weeks, the Committee of Stroud Chamber of Trade has been working hard to create a Toolkit to help businesses understand and comply with sometimes complex restrictions, and be prepared for a time when they can open again, or open more fully. During this time we have also provided direct help and advice to many, helping them steer through and keep positive.

We don’t like the term “recovery plan” so much, so we think of it as the “Welcome Back to Stroud” Toolkit. Within it you will find collated resources, including social media graphics, posters to print and resource advice sheets to help you navigate through. The Committee believe that the success of our town depends on the success of us all and, as such, are releasing this toolkit to all businesses and not just those who are current members.

The kit contains actionable checklists, consumable advice, a helpful collection of posters to download and ready-to-go social media graphics.

 You can access it here.

At the time of publishing, despite its size, Stroud has been hailed as leading the county in terms of the fools available to businesses to be aware and ready. Whilst its contents are centred around the specific needs of Stroud businesses, with a heavy focus on retail and high street business, its contents have a wider reach. Further, on 15th May the toolkit was updated with graphics and posters branded for Stonehouse, so allowing businesses in our neighbouring town to also benefit from the opportunity to use a common set of resources that will become familiar to those who use the town.

Tony Davey, Chair, commented "Whilst we are often perceived as just for Stroud, our membership stretches much further. Whilst we many not all be 'in the same boat', we are certainly all in the same storm. We know the successful recovery of our district will not be achieved through isolated efforts. As such, we are piloting this approach for Stonehouse, to see how well it is received there too. Our full name is Stroud and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce - we are the long established Chamber of Trade for the district. At such challenging and uncertain times, it is good to be able to reach out further for the benefit of all." 

20 March 2020 | New Coronavirus Crisis Resources Section Launched

The Chamber is receiving a high number of enquiries and requests for advice in relation to our current health crisis and what the updates from the Government mean for them and their businesses. Stroud Chamber of Trade have made the decision to offer its advice and resources to all during this crisis (regardless of membership status), as the prosperity of every business has an impact on our business commmunity; a model we hope other Chambers may follow in these unprecedented times. Our Coronavirus section covers helpful links, news, opinion and information to help inform, encourage and support.

18 March 2020 | Stroud Delivers Local

In the grip of the COVID-19 threat, Stroud businesses are adapting to serve the changing needs of their customers. Restaurants are offering take-away, businesses introducing new, local delivery services and phone-and-collect and click-and-collect to save you time and minimise queuing. These businesses are going the extra mile, many offering to deliver efficiently to those who need to remain isolated and assist social distancing during this crisis.
We have produced a basic directory to help you identify them and the services they are offering.

17 March 2020 | Temporarily suspend Car Park charges

Please help Stroud District Council understand a temporary suspension of Car Park charges will help our town and make a difference.
Please sign our petition: http://chng.it/mt6PP5Sj5j

24 February 2020 | Stroud goes #LOCAL4LENT

Don't give up chocolate, beer or bread this year, give up buying something online or at a supermarket and shop #LOCAL4LENT! Stroud Fiver Fest already taught us the benefits of spending just £5 more per week can have on our local economy and community, Stroud Local for Lent strengthens this message with a recommendation that you could switch from shopping for an item or two out of town and bolster our local economy at the same time. This campaign, which runs until 9th April, is being promoted through our InStroud initiative. Read more here. 

22 February 2020 | Stroud Fiver Fest half way through!

Stroud Fiver Fest is now half way through and it's been positive for many businesses and customers alike, despite two storms hitting the area within the first week. With 57 businesses now on board, it's never been easier to spend £5 in your local independent businesses. The Stroud Fiver Fest map has been popular, as it was last year, with over 100 downloads across our sites and social media.

07 February 2020 | Stroud Fiver Fest registrations exceed 50 with 1 week to go!

Stroud Fiver Fest has the £5 offers registered from 53 businesses as the deadline is reached for applicants to be included in the primary marketing activities. Work on creating the "around our town" and map has now started!
Read more here

28 January 2020 | Stroud Fiver Fest registrations reaches 42 with 2 weeks still to go before it launches!

The February Stroud Fiver Fest runs 15th - 29th February 2020 and with 2 weeks still to go before it starts we already have 42 businesses registered to take part. The event, lead sponsored by WSP Solicitors, looks set to be even better than the last.
Read more here

27 January 2020 | WSP Solicitors announced as Lead Sponsor for Stroud Fiver Fest February 2020

The 2nd Stroud Fiver Fest has the backing of WSP Solicitors of 3-7 Rowcroft, Stroud - a well-respected business with a strong history in our town and surrounding area.
Read more here.

04 October 2019 | Stroud Fiver Fest reaches 35 confirmed and registered participants - just in time for the start tomorrow!

With Fiver Fest starting tomorrow we have reached an amazing 35 businesses working together to support Stroud Fiver Fest! We've updated the map to a second edition with all 35 listed. Can you find them all? We'd love you to try!

02 October 2019 | Stroud Fiver Fest reaches 33 confirmed participants! Find them all on our town map!!

Wow! The first Stroud Fiver Fest has 33 participants all around town! You will find our distinctive orange posters in their windows and use our handy map to plan your route to see them all :)

01 October 2019 | Stroud Fiver Fest reaches 25 confirmed participants!

In just two weeks the first Stroud Fiver Fest has already attracted 25 independent businesses in town and more are likely to join in too. To learn more here.

17 September 2019 | The results of our "100 voices" parking survey are published

In June we conducted a survey to better understand the parking patterns and motivations of those who visit Stroud town centre to shop or work. We now know which car parks were identified as the favourites, which were least favourites and what the respondents have to say about the state of our local bus services. To learn more read about our report.

22 May 2019 | Our response to the increase in graffiti in the town

We have long been blighted by graffiti appearing in our town, but this has increased significantly in recent days. In response to this rise, and following an interview with the Stroud News and Journal, read what we have to say (and what we are doing) here.

27 Mar 2019 | Our response to the recent closure another shop in Stroud

Following the sad news that another long-established shop has closed in Stroud, The Citizen asked for our reaction. Read our response here.

01 Mar 2019 | What's your Chamber of Trade been doing for you?

Just three months on from the publishing of our 2018 focus survey, our Committee has been hard at work meeting with authorities, negotiating plans and communicating with both businesses and the public. Read our report here.

21 Feb 2019 | Addressing disproportionate fundraising in Stroud

Our members reported to the Committee that their customers were being aggravated by face-to-face fundraisers in town, who were present in large numbers. The Chamber took swift action to investigate what could be done, to approach some of the fundraiser directly, and formulate a plan for the future that can balance the needs of fundraisers with the needs of those who wish to enjoy Stroud. You can read more here.

20 Feb 2019 | 2019 Events Calendar taking shape

The 2019 events calendar is taking shape, with a visit to the CCTV Control Room having taken place in February 2019 and our first Workshop of the season (Taking your place on the Internet | Tuesday 19th March) open for bookings. Visit our Events page for more details.

16 Jan 2019 | New Stroud-centric Business to Consumer service launched 

The first part of the InStroud initiative launched today, raising awareness of businesses in the town and reducing the need to travel further afield for goods and services that are available locally. Learn more here.

17 Dec 2018 | How will the opening of Aldi in Stroud impact our High Street?

Given the concerns raised at Planning stage, we are asked our opinion on the opening of Aldi last week and how it could impact the High Street in Stroud.
Read our response here.

05 Dec 2018 | What concerns the businesses of Stroud most?

Stroud Chamber of Trade publishes its 2018 Focus Survey.