A PETITION to stop the multinational chain Starbucks opening at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre has been signed by over 3,500 people since being launched last month. 

Among those who have signed it are former Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell, Labour candidate Simon Opher and Green candidate Pete Kennedy.

The petition says: "Do we want Starbucks to join Costa and Coffee #1 in gradually deteriorating the independent spirit that has drawn people to Stroud for generations? 

The application has been submitted by Dransfield Properties - owners of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre.

Mark Dransfield managing director said: “I have invested with a number of independent businesses to help them achieve their goals. 

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“As a family business we will always support local traders but no town can exist without a mixture of national and local businesses.”

Originally the developers had intended that the unit would be a pharmacy however they said that no pharmacy in the town centre had been willing to relocate. 

Stroud News and Journal: The developers wants to open a branch in part of the former Poundland in King StreetThe developers wants to open a branch in part of the former Poundland in King Street (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Starbucks said: "We look forward to bringing the Starbucks experience to customers in Stroud in the near future and will be in touch once we have more specific plans to share."

A festival for independent coffee traders is due to take place in Stroud next month. 

You can view the petition on Stroud Against Starbucks - bit.ly/3AHvUty