WOTTON’S new chamber of trade president feels there needs to be more of an honest conversation about car parking concerns.

Martin Tucker, who took up the new leadership role last Monday (July 3), is eager to have a more of a discussion between the chamber of trade and the town’s traders.

However, his main aim is to tackle the ongoing issues with car parking, which he feels are having a damaging impact on the town.

“I stepped in as point of contact at the chamber after Alex Wilkinson stepped down and I didn’t want all of his good work to go to waste or the chamber be put at risk,” said Martin.

“I’d like to get more of a link between the chamber and the fantastic events that take place in the town like the Christmas displays, Wotton in Bloom and the Blues festival.

“We want to support all of these more and get a good understanding of the trade in the town.

“We’ll be doing anything we can to improve trade, and are looking to work with people like Gfirst LEP to see what can be improved and bring more business to the town."

Martin joined the chamber of trade four years ago after attending one of its meetings.

Before he retired, Martin spent 40 years working for Tesco, managing stores in Tetbury, Worcester and Quedgeley including Devon and Cornwall.

It was his work in Tetbury and Quedgeley that saw him lay down roots in Wotton, which also led to his wife opening a shop in Long Street.

“The lack of car parking is a really big issue, I’ll be making it a priority and will be lobbying for more parking and to find out what is being done with the old Wotton Building Supplies site – it needs to be kept on the agenda,” said Martin.

“There are so many houses being built in the area and car parking needs to be more of a conversation, over in Dursley they pursued it and now have plans for a long-stay car park, we need to do the same.”

Martin is eager for more people to join the chamber of trade, which already boasts 67 members, to enable it to act on behalf of more business.