MALVERN based specialist health and well-being insurance brokers Balens Ltd is acquiring a 7000 sq ft office premises in the town to cater for its continued growth and future expansion. The move will enable the company to relocate from its premises on Enigma Business Park into the town centre, safeguarding current jobs and allowing the creation of new ones as Balens continues to expand. It will be moving into the Job Centre building in Portland Road,which was vacated in April when the centre opened in its new home at Malvern Library .

Councillor Phil Grove, portfolio holder for economic development at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are delighted that, as a home grown Malvern business, Balens Ltd has announced proposals that will bring significant investment to high quality offices in the Great Malvern town centre, support the retention of their existing local employees and cater for their on-going growth locally. When we heard that Balens was looking for alternative premises and considering alternatives outside of the district, our economic development team moved quickly to identify options in Malvern and I’m delighted that one of these opportunities has now been taken up. We are pleased this expansion will also bring a significant number of workers into our town centre which will help to support traders in the town. Economic prosperity is the key priority for the council and we are working hard with local businesses like Balens Ltd to ensure they can continue to grow and prosper in the district.”

Balens has been based in Malvern since 1994 and has expanded significantly over the last decade, taking over adjacent office space in 2011 and now employs more than 50 staff . Josh Balen of Balens Ltd added: “These are exciting times for Balens and what better way to celebrate 20 years in Malvern. This acquisition and development will assist the next stage of our business growth, enabling us to give increased service to our customers, compete in new markets and create new jobs in the town.”