I WRITE with reference to your two weeks of front page stories, comment and letters regarding the plight of Malvern’s shops.

Itis a matter of great regretthat Mr Morris has been unable to make his café work.

How I wish I were surprised when I heard the café was closing. But,like many,I had wondered how he would succeed where others before him had not.

I was also disappointed to hear the criticism about Pulse.

While clearly not a panacea to a recession,itis a vibrant project which has the potential to create soul and directly generate footfall, bring the arts, businesses and community together for the general benefit ofthe town and all of us who work and reside here.

I am full of respectfor those already busy individuals and business owners who selflessly devote their personaltime to help promote the town and create a lively atmosphere and event programme.

Surely the recipe for the town’s prosperity is a healthy blend of economic and community activity and ‘Pulse’ should happily be a part of this.

Add to this a mix of high street names and independents, and a diverse offer not just of retail, but of leisure, and service providers.

In this way we can possibly hope to compete with singleminded, soulless retail parks and the internet.

SARAH GROUT

Church Walk