A construction firm from Gloucestershire has been chosen to carry out "the third and most significant phase of work" of a major redevelopment project.

Sheffield-based retail property specialists Dransfield Properties has chosen the county business to complete what it calls the "most complicated" part of the transformation of Stroud's Five Valleys Shopping Centre.

Gloucester-base, family-owned construction company Speller Metcalfe is expected to begin work on Monday week (June 24).

GFirst LEP is providing a £1 million loan and a £3 million grant towards completion of the project, aimed at elevating the town's retail standing and attract a host of new businesses to Stroud - as well as creating new residential and office units.

Andy Metcalfe, Speller Metcalfe joint managing director, said: "Speller Metcalfe is delighted to have been appointed to undertake this phase of the Five Valley's refurbishment and are looking forward to working with Dransfield Properties to transform the centre into a modern and attractive retail destination."

Gavin Ward, project director at Dransfield Properties, said: "We are delighted to be starting work on this third phase of the Five Valleys project and to be working with another local business to deliver this part of the scheme.

"Stroud is a beautiful market town and it's great that the community can really start to see the transformation taking place now, and the positive impact these improvements will have on the town centre."

Apparently work will "focus on creating the new mall area as well as wrapping the exterior of the centre's car park, making it a much more attractive feature in the town centre".

"This complex phase of work also includes improvements to the top level of the car park and the replacement of the glazed roof above the main mall - work is planned for completion at the end of May 2020," said a statement from Dransfield Properties Ltd.

The Sheffield based company bought the Stroud shopping centre last summer and started work on the transformation of the centre, including a rebrand of the former Merrywalks Centre.

The Five Valleys Shopping Centre remains open to customers throughout these major improvement works.