The redevelopment of Number 1 King Street in Stroud is nearing the completion of its extensive programme of construction works, dramatically changing the landscape of this area of the town.

Central to the work is the brand new £6.5 million medical centre which will become the new home of two of the town's established GP practices, Locking Hill Surgery and Stroud Valleys Family Practice, which have now merged to become Five Valleys Medical Practice.

The fully refurbished building will house the medical practice, a new first floor physiotherapy and podiatry suite operated by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust as well as a new library, coffee shop and office facilities.

The development is a key part of Dransfield Properties' work in the centre of Stroud and the redevelopment of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre, which to date has seen in excess of £25 million of investment.

Mark Dransfield DL, managing director for Dransfield Properties, said: "The new medical centre will provide new and improved GP services for more than 15,000 patients and will link with our shopping centre, Five Valleys, as well as having excellent local transport links."

The two GP practices have outgrown their current buildings and the new, modern facility will give them room to grow as well as allow them to extend the range of services they provide, expand training opportunities and support patients with complex needs who require more specialist treatment.

The relocated physiotherapy and podiatry services will also be merged into one comprehensive clinic, as part of work to ensure best use of their estate and provide high quality premises.

The new facilities will offer much improved accessibility for patients, being in a central part of the town within a short two-minute walk of the train and bus stations, a taxi rank and other amenities, including pharmacies.

Dr Ewart Lewis, GP partner at Locking Hill Surgery, said: "We're thrilled to be moving into our new premises within the next few weeks, giving us the long-awaited opportunity to offer more services and care to our patients.

"Having additional consulting and treatment rooms will allow us to expand our teams, train more GPs and offer a greater range of services, for example diagnostics, minor surgery, contraception, mental health support, physiotherapy and social prescribing."

Dr Anne Hampton, GP partner at Stroud Valleys Family Practice, said: "This development is great news for both our patients and staff. It has been carefully designed to support our more vulnerable patients and those with complex needs who require more specialist treatment, as well as being a friendly and welcoming hub for the local community."

David Noyes, chief operating officer at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We're really pleased to be part of this new sustainable development, which should create closer working between our colleagues and local GPs. It will also improve accessibility for patients and bring us closer to the heart of the town."

Medical centre visitors will benefit from 90 minutes free parking at the multi-storey car park at Five Valleys shopping centre with access directly from the top floor of the car park.

The developers have made significant efforts to ensure the building is as green as possible, installing a 50KW solar farm to the roof and fitting a ground-breaking hybrid air source heat pump system, which converts air moisture into heating and cooling for the building.

Mary Hutton, chief executive officer at NHS Gloucestershire, said: "This is an exciting and much-needed redevelopment for Stroud which will breathe new life into health and social care services in the community.

"Both practices really needed more modern premises with better access for people with disabilities and facilities for children and families, and this is a fantastic example of One Gloucestershire partners working together to create a community hub.

"The coffee shop and library will offer a supportive and friendly environment to Stroud's growing population, particularly important as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with increasing reports of people feeling isolated and lonely."

Work on Stroud's new medical centre is scheduled to be completed at the end of November, with the opening of the library to follow in the New Year.