A striking old photograph of Stroud’s former Merrywalks Shopping Centre in the 1980s has resurfaced, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the town’s retail past.
Captured by well-known local businessman Andrew Watton, affectionately known as Stroud’s “Mr Property,” the image documents the town centre as it once was, before its transformation into today’s Five Valleys Shopping Centre.
This evocative photograph of the former Merrywalks Shopping Centre in the 1980s captures the shops as it once was, a familiar sight for generations of Stroud shoppers.
The Gorge Café was one of those early, reliable meeting spots — the kind of place you’d head to straight after getting off the bus, when the bus station still felt like the hub of everything. Cafés weren’t as common then, so a place like the Gorge would naturally become a landmark, a first stop, or a regular haunt.
A stairwell to the top of the car park can also be seen in this memorable snapshot of a time gone by.
And yes — that combination of Argos, Radio Rentals and Fine Fare really dates the era in a very particular and comforting way. Argos with its catalogue counters, Radio Rentals with televisions in the window, and Fine Fare as one of the supermarket staples… it all evokes a centre that had its own distinct personality before later redevelopments.
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.
