MALVERN traders have rejected claims that the town centre is 'dying on its feet'.

Mike Haycock, owner of Farmhouse Kitchen, Belle Vue Terrace, warned it was in danger of becoming a ghost town.

He is preparing to shut the shop after barely six months of trade, due to lack of custom.

But his claim has drawn a strong reaction from fellow traders.

Robin Elt, owner of Robin Elt Shoes, Church Street, and chairman of Malvern Traders, said business had never been as good as it has this year.

"We had a very shaky start due to the effects of foot-and-mouth and by Easter we were running about 18 per cent down, but we pulled back and now we're about 17 per cent up on the year. I'd strongly disagree with Mr Haycock's comments.

"The particular unit he chose has never been one of the strongest retail units in Malvern, because of its siting and position.

"What it's fair to say is that we would like to see more people from Malvern shopping locally rather than pootling off to Worcester."

Robert Smith's family has had a business in Malvern since 1932 and he now runs Gordon Smith, a textiles giftware and cookshop in Church Street.

He added that Mr Haycock's comments were unfounded and unfair.

"During the summer we get people coming to Malvern for a reason," he said.

"They say what a nice place it is and how lucky we are to have a shop like ours here.

"I just think the town gets a very bad press and people who aren't from the area could read that article and think the town is dying when it's not."