Dame's debut Actress opens vintage marketplace during first town visit

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.

- Sarah LUMLEY

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 has 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.