'Major transformation' launched inside Stroud shopping centre

New food stands and a toy shop will form part of the development

A new phase of development is taking place at a shopping centre in Stroud.

Five Valleys Shopping Centre welcomes a new concession with a jewellery brand as well as two independent food retailers and a toy shop.

The partnership with Pandora is the first of its kind for the firm.

The new ventures have moved into the centre and have been operating for between two and six weeks.

Mark Dransfield is the chairman of Dransfield Properties, the company that bought the shopping centre

Mark Dransfield, the chairman of Dransfield Properties, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "We were approached seven years ago to have a look at two distressed assets. One of those was in Stroud - I didn't even know where that was was to be honest with you!

"I got sucked in - we agreed [to buy the centre] before we signed the deal. I have worked tirelessly for the last six years and were really, hopefully, making a difference - I'm obsessed with this place.

"I think it's a special town."

Reena Gohil-Khetani is the owner of jewellery shop, Surya Chamak

Reena Gohil-Khetani, owner of jewellery shop Surya Chamak said: "This is my first shop. I quit my full time job and put everything into this.

"It was scary because I'm a mother of two. I'm always telling my daughter that there is nothing in this life you can't do."

Work has also started on the latest £1.5m phase of building work.

It's said to deliver retail, residential and office space and is part of the phased £30m programme of improvements at the centre, which has undergone a major transformation since 2018.