THE NEW entrance feature at Stroud’s Five Valley’s Shopping centre has been completed – with the glazed canopy lifted into place this week.

The striking entrance is part of the work which has been completed by local contractor Barnwood, along with the transformation of the buildings and shop fronts along King Street.

A new courtyard area as well as first floor apartments have also been created as part of this phase of work at the former Merrywalks Centre, which has also been rebranded as part of the redevelopment.

The name Five Valleys was chosen by Ivy Rooney and Archie Gittins, both from Rosary Catholic Primary School, and Amber Clements from Callowell Primary School.

The three pupils popped along to the centre last month to see their chosen name in pride of place at the new entrance feature, along with Stroud MP David Drew.

The completion of the entrance feature follows the news that the independent mother and babywear company JoJo Maman Bébé is taking one of the newly refurbished units by the King Street entrance – the new store opens on September 21.

Centre manager at Five Valley’s Dionne Moore said: “It was lovely to welcome the children who chose our wonderful new name back to the centre to see the progress that has been made in the last few months.”

Work is now also underway on the third and most complicated phase of the redevelopment of the centre.

This phase, being undertaken by Speller Metcalfe, will transform the exterior of the car park as well as the main mall area.