Future of Sandersons in Five Valleys Shopping Centre revealed

The owner of Five Valleys shopping centre has committed to securing the future of the shopping centre’s flagship Sandersons Boutique Store – after council leaders pledged to explore plans to improve Stroud town centre.

The Sandersons management team undertook a strategic review of the store earlier this year. 

At the same time, Directors at Dransfield Properties Ltd, which owns Five Valleys, have been urging council leaders to commit to making improvements to the public realm area outside of the shopping centre.

Company bosses recently met with representatives of both Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council, who gave reassurances over their commitment to improve the public realm in the town.

As a result of the positive talks, directors have now decided to retain the Sandersons store in Stroud.

The shop will be downsized in order to better serve the community’s needs as well as allowing space for another new retailer to open at the centre.  

There will be no job losses and a number of new brands will be introduced later in the year.

In addition, further details about improvements to the street scene in Stroud will be announced in due course.

Andrew Malley, Director at Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: “The company had reached a crucial stage in deciding the future viability of the Sandersons store and following positive discussions with key stakeholders we are now pleased that Sandersons are moving forward with works at the centre.  

“There will be no job losses at the Sandersons store and the move will also create further employment opportunities at the new store which is set to open within the centre.

“We look forward to working with all parties moving forward to ensure that both Five Valleys and Stroud town centre enjoys a bright future.”

Sandersons, which currently covers 11, 352 sq. ft in the lower mall area and is close to the busy indoor market, is remaining open whilst all building works take place and will continue to host their biggest ever sale.

The reconfigured Sandersons footprint will allow the team to focus on the store’s key brands as well as introducing a new partnership, due to be announced ahead of the relaunch.

The new retailer taking the additional space will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Managing Director of Sandersons, Louise Fearnehough, said: “There are some exciting changes at Five Valleys and new companies joining the line up. Sandersons is delighted to be a part of that with a smaller, remodelled store which we will be launching at the end of the month.

“We will still have a fabulous range of the key brands which our customers love, as well as some new innovations which we are really looking forward to announcing soon.

“In the meantime, we will continue to run our sale with our shoppers receiving that same wonderful Sandersons welcome.”

The stores French patisserie, Choux Bun Appetit, will remain open throughout the works and beyond, meaning shoppers will be able to take advantage of their exceptional cooking, excellent coffee, show-stopping handmade pastries and savoury snacks.

Five Valleys shopping centre was purchased by Dransfield Properties in 2018 and has so far seen close to £30m of investment improving the main shopping centre malls, creating a indoor food market and consolidating new medical facilities.

The regeneration project has helped safeguard and create just over 400 jobs.

To keep up to date with news and events at Five Valleys visit www.fivevalleysstroud.co.uk