STROUD is booming and 2006 is set to be a bumper year for the town. Business leaders are delighted with trade last year, with more shops opening and new stores in the pipeline.

The Project Stroud regeneration scheme is now underway, and the cinema and bowling centre is already bringing in new trade and the next 12-months look set to be even better.

Just this week coffee shop giant Costa Coffee confirmed it is to open a branch in the town next month.

And clothing and household chain Laura Ashley is among other stores rumoured to be opening here.

There are also plans to revamp the Brunel Goods Shed and revive the area's historic waterways, including the Stroudwater Canal, which would pull in thousands of tourists.

Commercial surveyor Andrew Watton - a key agent for retail space in the Five Valleys - said outlets were being snapped up.

He said there were many exciting names in the pipeline which he couldn't yet reveal.

"Last year was a great year for us," said Mr Watton, who runs his own consultant surveyors in Union Street, Stroud.

"I'm delighted to say we enjoyed a consistent level of success with particular regard to industrial and retail space.

"Retail demand in Stroud and Nailsworth remains very strong.

"Cornhill is full, Nailsworth has a waiting list and we are currently involved in three or four new lettings in the prime retail locations of Stroud.

"If more retailers open in the town people can shop in Stroud without going elsewhere, which means the footfall increases and other stores are encouraged to move in."

Mr Watton attributed part of the success to Stroud's popular twice-monthly farmers' market, which has drawn in new shoppers.

There has also been a rise in the number of businesses seeking office space, he said.

Among the most sought after sites are those near the Stroudwater Canal, one of the so-called Cotswold Canals in line for restoration.

Nigel Messenger, chairman of Stroud's Chamber of Trade, said festive trade had been good.

"The traders I've spoken to say they are up on last year and up on their expectations for that period," he said.

"The rest of the year has been up and down but overall there is a very positive feel in Stroud at the moment.

"When I became chair of the Chamber of Trade five years ago, there were 36 empty shops in Stroud and hopefully there will soon be none."

Town centre traders have also welcomed the news that a derelict shop at 15 High Street is either to be revamped or sold to new owners.

Stroud Mayor Kevin Cranston said the town was going from strength-to-strength.

"It's brilliant that Stroud is thriving," he said.

"The town council is particularly keen to see all the empty shops filled.

"It's also great there is a blend of big brand shops, like Costa Coffee alongside individual boutiques, which are characteristic of Stroud because it's important to have both."

Costa Coffee is due to open at 52-53 High Street on February 23. No one at Laura Ashley was available for comment as the SNJ went to press.