A MAJOR retail chain will be pulling out of Malvern town centre when Bottoms Up closes its Church Street branch next month, leaving the town centre without a dedicated off-licence.

Fears have been voiced that the shop unit, in a highly visible part of town, could remain empty, or play host to another charity shop.

Bottoms Up and Wine Rack are both part of the First Quench chain, based in Welwyn Garden City, which in turn is owned by the Japanese banking and leisure conglomerate Nomura.

A spokesman for the company said: "First Quench can confirm that Bottoms Up, located in Church Street, Malvern, will be closing in mid-August and all staff moved to the Wine Rack shop in Barnards Green Road.

"This move comes following a detailed commercial review of the business's locations in Malvern, to make sure there is no overlap between its shops. First Quench continues to serve its customers through Wine Rack and its Victoria Wine shop in the area."

Robin Elt, chairman of Great Malvern Association of Trade, said: "It's always bad when such a prime-sited shop closes down, leaving an empty unit.

"Having said that, I can understand the company's decision because the parking in Church Street is so bad - nearly non-existent - that it makes sense for them to concentrate on their Barnards Green shop. But that does not mean there is no opportunity for some specialist shop - perhaps an up-market wine merchant - to make a go of it in this unit."

Mr Elt said the association of trade was working closely with Malvern Hills District Council and the Malverns Experience on a strategy to attract high-class and individual retailers to move into Malvern.

"But the good news is that a new shop, an antique dealer and gift shop, is opening up in an alley off Church Street," he said.

Adrian Field, of MHDC's economic development unit, confirmed the council would do all it could to encourage quality retailers to move into the unit being vacated by Bottoms Up.