A new centre manager has been appointed for Merrywalks Shopping Centre in Stroud which is currently undergoing a major £12 million transformation.

Dionne Moore is described as having a "strong retail background", having most recently worked as store manager at the Tommy Hilfiger store in Bicester Village.

Ms Moore has more than 12 years of fashion retail experience and will now be heading up the team at Merrywalks, taking over from Ray Ellaby

Dionne said: "I am really excited to be taking up this opportunity to be part of the big changes happening at Merrywalks and working for Dransfield Properties who have such a strong reputation for working in market towns such as Stroud.

"I am looking forward to meeting all the tenants and working with them as well as working with other groups and stakeholders in the town."

Work started this week on the second phase to transform the shopping destination, which was bought earlier this year by retail property specialist Dransfield Properties.

Dionne, who is from Stroud, will be focussed on driving footfall, working with the centre's existing tenants as well as building new relationships with stakeholders in the area and playing a key role in welcoming new businesses to the town.

As well as changes to the buildings a new name and brand is also due to be unveiled following a competition with local schools.

Medi Parry-Williams, operations director at

Dransfield Properties, said: "We are delighted to welcome Dionne to the team. This is a really exciting time for Dransfield Properties and for Merrywalks with the major transformation of the centre underway."

Sheffield based Dransfield Properties is based at its Fox Valley development in Stocksbridge, north Sheffield and manages office, leisure and retail developments across the UK, with a property portfolio in excess of £130m.

GFirst LEP is providing a £1 million loan and a £3 million grant for the transformation of Merrywalks.

It is hoped the work will help "elevate the town's retail standing" and "attract a host of new businesses to Stroud".

Read more: Phase two of £12 million shopping centre transformation underway  

Read more: First phase of £12 million shopping centre to get underway