The Society was formed in 2018 to try to allay the loss of services and businesses from Cricklade’s High Street. Many residents in Cricklade and the neighbouring villages rely on the ‘one stop’ nature of the High Street and so a group of us decided it was a cause worth fighting for.  

Grant support was received from Cricklade Town Council, Wiltshire Council and the Community Land Trust to help us in our aims. We also successfully applied for Cricklade Police Station to be listed as an ‘asset of community value’ and explored the possibility of buying the former Lloyds Bank property.

Our Plans for the Future

We will continue to review High Street commercial properties that come onto the market. Our preferred target, however, is Cricklade Police Station, which Wiltshire Police has earmarked for disposal. A likely sale date remains unknown but as the property is listed as an ‘asset of community value’, we will receive 6 months’ notice of sale to raise funds.

The property has the potential to offer both commercial and community use on the ground floor/rear of the property, and affordable rented accommodation on the first floor.  A much-needed facelift and its central location will also greatly enhance the surrounding area. 

While awaiting a suitable property to become available, we will be working on a strategy for the High Street to try and tap into support for existing businesses. Working in partnership with Cricklade Town Council, it is our intention to consult widely with key stakeholders, including the local community. We want this strategy to have teeth and to offer tangible benefits, so it is vitally important that we all play our part to ensure our High Street remains open for business. We will be much poorer without it!