A new chapter for Stroud: Dame Joanna Lumley OBE to officially open Five Valleys and showcase its newest development

A new chapter for Stroud: Dame Joanna Lumley OBE to officially open Five Valleys and showcase its newest development

8 April 2026

Gloucestershire is preparing for a major milestone as Dame Joanna Lumley OBE officially opens the newly completed Five Valleys Shopping Centre in Stroud on Thursday 23rd April at 12:30pm. 

The event marks the culmination of a transformative multi‑million‑pound redevelopment delivered by The Yorkshire based owners Dransfield Properties Ltd.

Since acquiring the centre in 2018, Dransfield Properties has invested £31 million to create a modern, future‑ready town centre destination, turning the run down and unloved former Merrywalks Centre into a vibrant new development. 

The redevelopment has delivered a state‑of‑the‑art medical centre, Stroud’s new town library and a bustling food hall and street food market, alongside contemporary office space and a distinctive retail mix with 85% of the tenants being local independent companies. 

The centre is also home to leisure facilities including a cinema alongside Stroud Bowl which hosts national and international competitions. Together, these elements have reshaped Five Valleys into a thriving mixed‑use community asset.

As part of the celebrations, Dame Joanna will also unveil the centre’s latest investment: The Home of Vintage, a vibrant new marketplace bringing together more than 30 traders offering vintage, retro, upcycled and pre‑loved treasures. 

Styled with colourful shutters and retro‑inspired décor, the hall features artists, makers, booksellers, home décor specialists, craftspeople and pre‑loved fashion traders. A first phase opened in December, and the April 23rd ceremony will reveal the full line‑up.

Already attracting a strong following, The Home of Vintage is set to become the region’s premier destination for all things vintage, further enhancing Five Valleys’ creative and independent spirit.

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 by everyone involved in the project. 

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. 

We are proud to have Dame Joanna join us as we celebrate this important moment for the town and for our company.”

With murals, artwork and a nostalgic soundtrack enhancing the atmosphere, The Home of Vintage adds a lively new dimension to Five Valleys and completes the centre’s multi‑year investment programme.

About Joanna Lumley:

Dame Joanna is an actress, presenter, author and campaigner. She has had a long and distinguished career on screen. Her notable film appearances include On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, two Pink Panther films, The Wolf of Wall Street and Falling for Figaro.

Joanna is known globally for her portrayal of Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, for which she has won two BAFTAS.

She can currently be seen playing the formidable 'Grandmama Frump' in the second season of Tim Burton's smash hit Wednesday. Other recent work includes Harlan Coben's exceptionally popular Netflix series Fool Me Once, as well as BBC's smash hit comedy Amandaland. 

Join us for this very special occasion: 

Be part of the celebration as we officially open Five Valleys Shopping Centre and unveil its newest addition The Home of Vintage. 

Thursday 23rd April, 12:30pm at Five Valleys, King Street. 

Press and media enquiries: Contact Amanda Holmes amanda.holmes@dransfield.co.uk or 07747 621902.

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk