A staple of Stroud’s very fabric, well-known businessman Andrew Watton, affectionately regarded as Stroud’s “Mr Property”, has spent decades documenting the town’s ever-changing retail landscape.
This evocative photograph of the former Merrywalks Shopping Centre in the 1980s captures the entrance as it once was, a familiar sight for generations of Stroud shoppers.
Merrywalks, of course, has changed beyond recognition. Following a major redevelopment by Dransfield Properties, it has been transformed into today’s Five Valleys Shopping Centre – a destination that blends retail, dining, and community life.
Andrew’s photo is more than just a snapshot – it’s a reminder of Stroud’s evolving character. From much-loved shops that have long since disappeared to the exciting new businesses shaping the town’s future, it highlights both nostalgia and renewal.
This photograph can be found on the Stroud Area Photos & Cotswold Picture Postcards Facebook page.
