Five Valleys Shopping Centre in Stroud have recorded a strong Christmas shopping period with footfall for November and December 2024 showing an increase of up to 21% compared to the previous year.
December’s footfall recorded a 14% increase on December 2023 and in November visitor numbers were even stronger, with a 21% increase on the same period in the previous year. Across the year the total annual footfall figure topped two million – ending the year 1.5% up.
Five Valleys Shopping Centre Picture: Carl Hewlett – Hewlett Photography & Design
Car park arrivals were also 12% up in December compared to December 2023 with an increase across the year of 5.7%.
The last 12 months has seen some really positive changes at Five Valleys with a host of new companies joining the centre line up – resulting in a significant increase in visitor numbers, particularly in the last quarter of 2024.
Peacocks and Sports Direct opened at the centre in 2024, and other new businesses at the include the popular independent Ducklings Toy Shop as well as a jewellery brand Surya Chamak.
A host of new street food operators has also seen the popularity of the centre’s market grow during the last 12 months.
The Princess Royal was greeted by (from left) Ms Florence Dourdou, Andrew Malley, Retail Property Director for Dransfield Properties, and Mark Dransfield DL at the opening of the Five Valleys Medical Centre in March 2023.
Los Cubanos, Mr Souvlaki, Bon Macaron, Baked for You and the Kitchen Witch Cakery have all opened at the centre over the last year. The popularity of the food hall and market has really grown with its foodie offering getting the attention of regional food influencers and diners.
New and high-quality office space has also attracted high profile Gloucestershire companies including Montpellier Legal. And the centre’s Sandersons Boutique Department store also launched its stunning Pandora concession in the autumn.
The new Sports Direct store at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre
Centre Manager at Five Valleys, Erica Malpass said: “We have seen real growth in our visitor numbers over the last 12 months, particularly in the last quarter of 2024 and it is fantastic to see the centre really establishing itself in the region now.
“We have something very special here at the Five Valleys with our unique Food Hall and Street Food Market and that news is definitely spreading now. We’ve caught the attention of some of our region’s fantastic influencers as well as the national press.
“With the library and the medical centre here at Five Valleys we really are a town centre community hub and we are really proud to be part of Stroud. We have more exciting plans for 2025 so please watch this space.”
Work is underway on the penultimate phase of the Five valleys development which will bring more retail and residential space to Five Valleys – due to be completed later in the year. There are also plans for new pieces of art at the centre in the coming months.
To keep up to date with news and events at Five Valleys please visit www.fivevalleysstroud.co.uk