A CRACK team of businessmen and councillors have launched a new mission to rescue trade on Lydney's high street.
An demoralised business community has stopped attending Lydney Traders' Group meetings, says chair Cllr Terry Glastonbury.
Membership has dwindled so he and a small group have decided to form a new pressure group to force action from the council.
Cllr Glastonbury said: "I think the traders are at a low at present and seem to think that things don't happen on the ground.
"I can see where they are coming from but they must see that by ignoring the problems we have this will only add to the downturn.
"People need to get involved in projects to bring people to Lydney and make our town centre a lively fun centre to visit with things going on and quality specialist shops.
"Traders can make a huge difference to the atmosphere of a town centre as has been shown in other towns. Lydney is a fantastic town and we must make the most of it."
The team has been carefully chosen to include people experienced in dealing with the council and with plenty of experience of the Forest retail sector.
The team of six men is Choice Cards owner Roy DuQuillio, Greyhound landlord Ray Warren, Robin Johnson of building company FW Johnson, town councillor Dave Cooksley of Westwinds Freight Services, district and county councillor Alan Preest and district councillor and businessman Terry Glastonbury.
They say they will welcome contributions from anyone with ideas about how to boost the Forest's economy.
The group wants the council to contact 50 national companies, selling the Forest to them and inviting them to start business in Lydney.
Cllr Alan Preest said: "No one seems to be doing anything to help business in the Forest and we are hoping that this group will have enough weight behind it to get results.
"If the companies we ask refuse we need to ask them why and analyse the answers.
"We can then take the results to the county council and ask them to take action.
"For example if a company says that the transport infrastructure is not good enough, then we will ask the council to make it a priority – perhaps a third Severn crossing."