Merrywalks is getting a new manager.

Dionne Moore is taking over the shopping centre from Ray Ellaby, who is retiring after being centre manager for 13 years.

She joins the team as the centre is getting redeveloped for £12 million by its new owners, Dransfield Properties.

Work started on the car park earlier in the year while a revamp of the King Street entrance began this week. A new name is also set to be unveiled.

Dionne, who is from Stroud, has more than 12 years of fashion retail experience, her most recent job being store manager at the Tommy Hilfiger in Bicester Village.

She 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."