Royal Mail strikes help Malvern traders have a bumper Christmas

Shop owners have also noticed a preference by shoppers to use local businesses.

“It’s been a fabulous Christmas,” said Sue Rule, who runs Dynastic Art in Church Street.

“It’s been great, people have really come out to support local businesses.

“People have told us they aren’t going to go anywhere else for their Christmas shopping, and want to support the businesses that have kept going in Malvern for the past couple of years.

Strikes by Royal Mail workers have helped businesses, say traders (Image: PA)

“It’s always steady throughout December, then there’s a bit of a mad rush in the last couple of weeks.

“Especially so this year as people realised they couldn’t rely on couriers and the Post Office to get things even if they did shop online. That played into our hands quite a lot.”

Sue also praised the town and district councils for their work in the run-up to Christmas.

A programme of Christmas markets and events, shopping guides and a festive trail were all put by Malvern Hills District Council in December.

“They did a great job of promoting the town - I’ve been here more than 10 years and this is the most support I’ve felt as a trader,” said Sue.

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Jack Morris, who runs Rhubarb in Church Street with parents Sarah and Nigel, said: “It’s been really busy, right the way up until Christmas.

Sue Rule of Dynastic Art Supplies (Image: Sue Rule)

“It’s probably been one of the busiest Christmasses we’ve had, so it’s been very positive.

“The Royal Mail strikes have really helped us - that’s what we’ve been putting the increased footfall down to.

“It’s made things difficult with shipping items, but that’s a relatively small part of our business. We’re a bricks and mortar store and this has brought people out.

“There have also been a lot of visitors to Malvern - not just people visiting family but people coming on day trips to go shopping.”