Dame Joanna Lumley—best known for her iconic role as Patsy Stone in the hit TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous—will officially open the newly transformed Five Valleys Shopping Centre on Thursday 23 April at 12.30pm, marking a landmark moment for Stroud.
The award-winning actress, author and campaigner, who was appointed an OBE for her services to drama and charity, has enjoyed a celebrated career spanning stage and screen, making her one of the UK’s most recognisable and much-loved personalities.
The grand opening celebrates the completion of a £31 million redevelopment delivered by Dransfield Properties, which has spent the past eight years reimagining the former Merrywalks Centre into a vibrant, future-ready town centre destination.
The revitalised Five Valleys now brings together a state-of-the-art medical centre, Stroud’s new library, a bustling food hall and street food market, flexible office space, and a carefully curated retail mix—85% of which is made up of local independent businesses. Leisure attractions, including a cinema and Stroud Bowl, further position the centre as a dynamic community hub.
As part of the opening celebrations, Dame Joanna will unveil The Home of Vintage—a colourful new marketplace featuring more than 30 traders specialising in vintage, retro, upcycled and pre-loved goods. Designed with bold, retro-inspired styling, the space showcases local artists, makers, booksellers, craftspeople, and fashion traders. Following a successful initial launch in December, the full concept will be revealed at the April event.
Mark Dransfield, Chairman of Dransfield Properties, said: “Stroud is a unique town and we wanted to create something vibrant and different that reflects that. The redevelopment of the former Merrywalks Centre has been eight years in the making and we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved.
“Stroud has a long-held love for all things creative and pre-loved, and our Home of Vintage really showcases that spirit while offering opportunities for independent and family-run businesses.”
With murals, artwork and a nostalgic soundtrack enhancing the visitor experience, the completed Five Valleys scheme represents a major investment in Stroud’s future—bringing together retail, leisure and community uses in a thriving, modern destination.
