Business incubators and improved transport links are part of an ambitious £15million Levelling Up wishlist by Stroud District Council.

It has submitted a bid for money from the government's £4.8billion fund to transform the area's gateways, connections and key cultural and heritage sites.

The town centre was dubbed "tatty" by The Sunday Times and the aim is to modernise while protecting its heritage to create a thriving place people want to visit.

Stroud's plan was approved by the Strategy and Resources Committee and has been crafted around three key areas - gateway spaces, cultural landmarks and connections.

It includes the transformation of Wallbridge green space, the creation of 11 new affordable business incubator units in Five Valleys Shopping Centre and the purchase of brownfield land for the development of homes.

The money would also be used to provide ramped access and internal improvements to: Lansdown Hall, Subscription Rooms and Brunel Goods Shed.

To support the transition to a low carbon lifestyle, aligning with the council's commitment to carbon 2030, it wants to make improvements to:

- pedestrian and cycle routes around Wallbridge

- the end of the Nailsworth to Stroud cycle route at Bath Road, Rodborough

- cyclists and pedestrian routes around the town centre

- Brunel Mall car park to add additional station car parking and reducing the traffic in the town centre

- bus information and facilities

Doina Cornell, leader of Stroud District Council, said: "We know that Stroud is one of, if not the best place in the UK to live, work and visit. We can see the potential the town has to be even greater, with Levelling Up Fund investment.

"We want people coming into the town centre to have gateways that welcome and invite. Our bid honours Stroud's past by preserving its historical and cultural identity, it addresses the needs of the present and opens our town up to all.

"It secures the future for visitors and the vital economy they bring, for the businesses who can see the potential the town has and what it can offer and to the people who choose to live here in years to come and continue to make Stroud the best place to live."

Bid criteria means some improvements could not be included but Stroud District Council is working with key stakeholders in a LUF Task Force including the Stroud MP, Stroud Town Council, Network Rail, Great Western Railway, Stroud & District Chamber of Trade, Gloucestershire County Council, and GFirst LEP to achieve some big improvements in and around the town centre which will also benefit the wider area.

Find out more about the bid here.