IN the shadow of the Malvern Hills, independent traders are working together to make Worcestershire a better place to live, work and visit.

There is an impressive range of companies based in Welland, near Malvern, a wealth of public houses nearby and thriving village stores in both Hanley Swan and Hanley Castle.

Mike Lake, who runs Three Counties Caravans in Welland, said local traders will always battle on through economic ups and downs.

He said: “We’re fortunate enough to be employed by ourselves which means we can be much more flexible and that’s certainly what we’ve become.

“Being independent means we’re capable of making decisions with the customer on the spot. We’re not waiting for orders from head office or citing company policy.”

Mr Lake’s family company has only been open for 12 months but, despite of the financial gloom on a global scale, he has been busy.

“We’re surrounded by small camping sites,” he said. “There’s a phenomenal about of tourism in this area and there has been a surge in what they’re calling ‘staycations’ – more people are changing the way they go on holiday.”

Royal Mail opened a post office in Hanley Swan in the mid-1890s. The branch is still open today.

According to the Hanleys website there has been a coaching inn on the site since the early 19th century and various families have lived there selling groceries right at the heart of the community to village residents.

There are the Broad Oak Trout Lakes in Hanley Castle and Phipps Butchers in Hanley Swan.

Husband and wife Roger and Biddi Kings run two businesses from their home in Merebrook Farm, Hanley Swan.

Merebrook Pond Plants, supplying water lilies and pond plants to customers all over the UK, has been running almost 20 years, and five years ago they opened the Kingfisher Barn bed and breakfast.

Mrs Kings said the pond company was barely affected by the recession, and the bed and breakfast has simply gone from strength to strength.

“It’s about context and understanding that context if you are going to thrive,” she said.

“It’s important that we all raise the profile of the location and it’s important in hard times that you all work together.

“Often people will ask if we do evening food, but I’ll say why provide that when we’ve got so many really good gastro pubs in the area. It’s a collaborative.”