Five Valleys shopping centre, located in Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, is being remodelled into a vibrant retail destination in the middle of the town centre. The redevelopment project is being implemented by Dransfield Properties, a South Yorkshire property firm, with an investment of £30m ($39m).
The site previously hosted the Merrywalks Shopping Centre, which was purchased by Dransfield Properties from Streetlands in June 2018. The mall was rebranded as Five Valleys in December 2018.
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Dransfield Properties announced plans to redevelop the outdated centre in June 2018 and started the first phase of the improvements as part of the redevelopment project in July 2018 after submitting the planning application to the Stroud District Council’s planning department.
Five Valleys shopping centre location
The shopping centre is located along the A46, close to McDonald’s and Rosary Catholic Primary School.
It is located two minutes away from the Stroud railway station and can be accessed by train.
Five Valleys shopping centre design and features
The project plan includes the creation of a new Edwardian style entrance from King Street and a new office and residential accommodation. The improvements will also include new and renovated retail, restaurant and coffee shops, and external changes to the gym, cinema and bowling alley.
A new indoor market area inspired by the Borough Market in London will include 20 new market stalls. The market area is being developed in the main mall area and businesses are signing up to join the market.
The facility also includes a new courtyard area and apartments. The first of the five new apartments was completed in July 2019. A new stairway and access courtyard area was created near the Curio Lounge to enable access to the new apartments.
The top deck of the car park has been opened to visitors following the completion of extension and reconfiguration in July 2020.
Award-winning baker The Artisan Baker will occupy the largest unit at the new market, covering 855ft². The Artisan Bakers professional kitchen and shop will be opened at the end of September 2020.
Construction
The completed phases of the development include King Street elevation at the centre and creation of new retail units and apartments. The new entrance of the shopping centre was completed in September 2019.
The construction work on the redevelopment was temporarily stopped in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The works were resumed in May 2020.
Work on a new lift that will connect the renovated mall area to the car park was completed in August 2020. Glazing work on the Merrywalks elevation along with landscaping was also completed.
The redevelopment project added 26 new car parking spaces to bring the total number of parking spaces at the top deck to 94. Works on the renovation of the multi-storey car park are nearing completion.
Retail offerings and amenities at the mall
UK-based mother and babywear firm Jojo Mamam Bébé will open a new 1,205ft² store by the end of September 2020.
The store is located near the transformed King Street entrance. Other retailers include British car parts and touring equipment retailer Halfords, variety store chain Poundland, high-street chain Wilkos, and discount chain Savers.
In addition, the mall includes South African spa operator Spoil Yourself, Anytime Fitness gym, and F Hinds jewellery business store.
Dining and entertainment venues
The indoor street food market offers a range of cuisines from different countries, including Britain and Italy. Thai street food trader Thai 2 Go opened to the public in July 2020.
Fat Toni’s, an independent pizzeria occupying a 1,314ft² unit close to the main entrance of the Vue Cinema, was opened in July 2019. Other food options include Callaghins Kitchen, Toamri-Gi, Falafel Mama, Curio Lounge café bar, Non Solo Pasta, and Marrows Fruit and Veg.
Vue Cinema, located at the shopping destination, features six Digital Dolby 6.1 surround sound screens and more than 790 seats. The centre also houses Stroud Bowl leisure venue that is accessible from the top deck of the car park.
Financing
GFirst LEP, a local enterprise partnership responsible for Gloucestershire’s Strategic Economic Plan, is co-financing the project with a £1m ($1.29m) loan and a £3m ($3.88m) grant.
Dransfield Properties is working with GFirst LEP and Stroud District Council to implement the shopping centre refurbishment project.
Contractors involved in Five Valleys shopping centre redevelopment
Speller Metcalfe is the main contractor for the redevelopment project. The construction company is responsible for the most important phase of works in the redevelopment of the shopping centre. Its contractual scope includes developing the new mall area, improving the exterior area of the car park, renovating the top level of the car park, and replacing the glazed roof located above the mall.
Berry Systems was awarded a contract to deliver improvements to the car park, in July 2018. Barnwood General Works was contracted to create new apartments above the retail stores and install a new roof. Troax Manufacturing was selected to build the stalls in the new market area.
