THE death-knell has been sounded for West Malvern Stores, with a planning application to convert the building into flats.

Owners Ron and Shelagh Mason have submitted an application to separate the ground floor shop from the flat above, to make two self-contained flats.

The shop, on West Malvern Road, has been for sale since it closed in October 2003, but Mr Mason said little interest had been shown in purchasing it.

"It's been on the market for 14 months but no one's interested. It hasn't really got a future," he said.

"A lot of people in the village miss the shop, but I'm 77 and I desperately want to retire. I don't want to go back and set up the shop again."

The Masons bought the shop about 30 years ago, running it themselves for 25 years and leasing it out for three. But supermarkets have taken away a lot of their trade and Mr Mason said it had proved difficult to maintain.

Parish council chairman Joyce Roberts said the village desperately needed a shop.

"The parish council is extremely concerned that we haven't got a shop in the village," she said.

The Lamb Inn recently started selling emergency supplies and Mrs Roberts said this was to be applauded. But she said there was still a need for a proper shop in the heart of West Malvern.

A resident expressed interested in buying the former West Malvern Post Office to convert into a shop, but has been unable to strike a deal with its owner.

The planning application will be discussed by the parish council on Monday (February 14). Any representations should be received by the district council by February 24.