MALVERN traders have disputed claims that the town is "dying on its feet".

Mike Haycock, owner of Farmhouse Kitchen on Belle Vue Terrace, made the claim in last week's Gazette and added that the town was in danger of becoming a "ghost town".

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

But his claim has drawn a strong reaction from other traders in the town centre.

Robin Elt, owner of Robin Elt Shoes on Church Street and chairman of Malvern Traders, said that 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," he said.

"But we pulled back, and we are now about 17 per cent up on the year.

"I would strongly disagree with Mr Haycock's comments," he continued.

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

"What it is 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 on Church Street. He also said that Mr Haycock's comments were unfounded and "unfair".

"During the summer we get people coming to Malvern for a reason," he said. "And they say what a nice place it is and how lucky we are to have a shop here.

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