Dame Joanna Lumley paid her first-ever visit to Stroud this week to officially open the Home of Vintage marketplace at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre—and the iconic actress couldn’t have been more enchanted by the charming Cotswolds town.
Best known for her role in ‘Absolutely Fabulous,’ Lumley, who is soon to mark her 80th birthday, was on hand to inaugurate the vibrant new vintage shopping space that boasts over 30 bespoke units featuring artists, makers, collectors, booksellers, retro décor vendors, and specialists in pre-loved fashion.
This exciting addition is part of a £31 million redevelopment of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre led by Dransfield Properties Ltd., which acquired the mall in 2018 and has since transformed it into a regional hub for vintage and artisan goods.
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Invited by Mark Dransfield, Chairman of Dransfield Properties, Lumley greeted an enthusiastic crowd outside the mall on April 23 with warmth and charm. Speaking to those gathered, she expressed her delight at discovering Stroud for the first time: “What have you been hiding from me? I adore it here! It’s everything I’ve been looking forward to forever.”
Lumley jokingly hinted that her newfound love for Stroud might signal a life change: “If you see me here more often, it’s because I’ve bought a house in Stroud. That’s the end of my acting career, end of London, and hello Stroud.”
The actress also revealed her long collaboration with Mark Dransfield, helping him to reopen shopping centres across the UK, but said this project in Stroud was uniquely special.
She unveiled a commemorative plaque at the shopping centre bearing her signature and date of opening, further cementing her connection with this new cultural landmark.
Inside the mall, Lumley took time to meet individual stallholders within The Home of Vintage, enjoying conversations and making a few purchases. Natasha, founder of ethical homeware company Karakorum, recalled, “She bought some soapstone hearts I handmade in Kenya to give as gifts—she was incredibly kind and supportive.”
Rebecca Dransfield, owner of Vintage by Rebecca, echoed this sentiment: “Having Joanna Lumley open my store was incredible. She’s such an icon and shares a passion for vintage, which made the moment even more special.”
Reflecting on the marketplace, Dame Joanna gushed, “It’s sensational. I’d spend all day here, slowly exploring every stall and filling a trolley with treasures. It’s simply divine.”
Lumley’s heartfelt praise highlights Stroud’s growing reputation as a vibrant, creative destination and marks a memorable milestone for its flourishing vintage scene.