Independent traders in Wotton issue call to arms to ‘come and visit’ town despite concerns over Brexit

The town is home to a range of independent traders who are keen to state that while they have some concerns, the town is still a great place to visit, eat, drink and shop.

There are still several vacant plots along Long Street which leaves space for further new businesses.

Their plea comes on the back of uncertainty caused by both Brexit and the recent local and general election campaigns.

Martin Tucker, who is the current point of contact at the town’s chamber of trade, said: “The current structure of independent businesses complements the prettiness of the town and the work with Wotton in Bloom to hang all their baskets outside the shops has provided more reasons to not just drive through Wotton but to stop and look around.

“It’s a good place to come and trade, but some businesses - like many in the country – are feeling the pinch, caused by the uncertainty of Brexit.

“Then there are some usual concerns about more people shopping online instead of coming down to shops.”

This month one of the town’s café’s won a county-wide award.

The Edge Coffee Shop was awarded best café in Gloucestershire in the Muddy Stiletto Awards, winning an impressive 33.6 per cent of the vote.

Mike Smylie, co-owner of Fish out of Water for the past four years, told the Gazette that last Saturday he had only taken in £50.

He said: “There is a lot of uncertainty around the election and after Brexit, trade often dips after elections but it has stretched further this time, because of the Brexit negotiations.

“We’re strapped for cash which is why this year we have one Wotton in Bloom basket instead of two.”

149 hanging baskets are now displayed around the town as part of Wotton in Bloom - Pic by Stephen Richards

Ann Tucker, who has owned Tanzee Designs in Long Street for the past four years, said that she is in one of the industries where people do enjoy coming down to a store in person, with less of a downturn from online shopping.

“It doesn’t seem to affect us, people to come to shops like this for the experience and many are in need of that, it helps us a lot.”

Anne, whose shop offers beads for jewellery making, said: “A lot of our customers depend on getting lifts to visit us.

“One lady used to come quite often but can’t make it because of the bus service, by the time she gets here she would have about ten minutes to visit and shop, and to drive here people would need more parking.”

Businesses are still bustling to set up shop in the town with Fifi’s Fancy Furniture one of the latest additions.

Owners Fifi Parsons, from Bradley Stoke and her sister Ginny Mann, from Hill, have combined to open the store and residents in the town were keen to emphasise the positive impact of yet more independent traders.

Speaking to the Gazette in March when they opened, Fifi said: “The people of Wotton have been really friendly and so open minded, it’s also a very pretty backdrop for antique and upcycled furniture with lots of trade because it’s on the edge of the Cotswolds.”

A common topic of debate in Wotton features parking in Long Street - where shoppers are limited to an hour

Some traders, out of the dozens who chatted to the Gazette, stressed that many of the concerns they had were reflected in independent businesses all over the UK and in towns across Stroud district.

But while other towns have been more heavily affected by a downturn in trade, Wotton still offers businesses a great platform for incoming trade.

Walkers and tourists who visit the Cotswolds see Wotton as a key location to stop and buy supplies, refuel and buy gifts – vital trade that will keep the town afloat.

For more information about trade in Wotton visit www.wottondirectory.org