Summary
Dame Joanna Lumley made her very first visit to Stroud this week to open a new vintage shopping destination in the town – and joked that she would give up her acting career to move to the Cotswolds destination. The ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ star, who will celebrate her 80th birthday next week, was in the town to officially unveil the new Home of Vintage marketplace within the Five Valleys Shopping Centre.
Details
The vibrant shopping space is set to become the largest vintage area in the region, bringing together more than 30 bespoke units for artists, makers, collectors, booksellers, retro decor sellers, pre-loved fashion specialists, and more.
It comes as part of a £31 million redevelopment project at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre by Dransfield Properties Ltd., which acquired the mall in 2018 and have transformed the building over the last six years. Dame Joanna was invited to open The Home of Vintage by Mark Dransfield, Chairman of Dransfield Properties, on Thursday, April 23.
A large crowd of delighted fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, and a cheer erupted as she took to a podium outside the Five Valleys Shopping Centre. Speaking about her visit, the actress said: “This is the first time I have been to Stroud. Oh my god, what have you been hiding from me?
I adore it here! It’s something I’ve been looking forward to forever. “I’m so proud and happy beyond belief to have come up here.
Everything I’ve seen around here just makes me want to stay. If you see me around here more often it’s because I’ve bought a house and live in Stroud. “I think that’s the end of my acting career, end of London, and hello Stroud.
I sometimes tell lies, but that’s the most truthful thing I’ve said today. I simply adore it here.” She added that she had been working alongside Mr Dransfield for almost 20 years, helping him to reopen shopping centres around the UK. But she said: “He only asks me to come and open centres that mean an enormous amount to him, and Stroud has been something quite exceptionally special.
He’s told me about it right from the beginning.” Dame Joanna also unveiled a brand new plaque on the outside of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre, declaring it had been officially opened by the actress on 23 April 2026, with her signature now on the building.
What You Need to Know
Dame Joanna Lumley made her very first visit to Stroud this week to open a new vintage shopping destination in the town – and joked that she would give up her acting career to move to the Cotswolds destination. The ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ star, who will celebrate her 80th birthday next week, was in the town to officially unveil the new Home of Vintage marketplace within the Five Valleys Shopping Centre.
The vibrant shopping space is set to become the largest vintage area in the region, bringing together more than 30 bespoke units for artists, makers, collectors, booksellers, retro decor sellers, pre-loved fashion specialists, and more.
It comes as part of a £31 million redevelopment project at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre by Dransfield Properties Ltd., which acquired the mall in 2018 and have transformed the building over the last six years. Dame Joanna was invited to open The Home of Vintage by Mark Dransfield, Chairman of Dransfield Properties, on Thursday, April 23.
I sometimes tell lies, but that’s the most truthful thing I’ve said today. I simply adore it here.” She added that she had been working alongside Mr Dransfield for almost 20 years, helping him to reopen shopping centres around the UK. But she said: “He only asks me to come and open centres that mean an enormous amount to him, and Stroud has been something quite exceptionally special.
He’s told me about it right from the beginning.” Dame Joanna also unveiled a brand new plaque on the outside of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre, declaring it had been officially opened by the actress on 23 April 2026, with her signature now on the building.