A LOCAL businessman wants to open a new Spar convenience store in the heart of Malvern Wells.

Alan Rawlings, who runs the Spar shop at Upper Welland, wants to open another one in premises on Wells Road, and has put in a planning application for it.

The premises he has chosen is 157 Wells Road, which is currently empty, but formerly housed furniture shop La Maison Du Malvern.

The site is close to Hornyold Court, not far from Wells Road's junction with Hanley Road.

In his application, Mr Rawlings describes his proposal as a "Spar convenience store, selling groceries, spirits/wines, bakery products and papers etc" and says it will also house a police information point.

Malvern Wells parish councillor Malcolm Victory said he welcomed the application.

He said: "I wish him the best of luck. Since the old post office closed down, we haven't really had anything in the way of a general stores in the Wells. I'm sure a lot of people will be pleased if he succeeds in opening a new shop here."

Fellow councillor Peter Buchanan said: "The parish council hasn't discussed it yet, so I can't give a parish council view, but some people I've spoken to say it's a good idea, and others say we don't need it.

"Certainly at the moment, there are some items you have to go all the way to Barnards Green to buy, and a shop like this would be welcomed by quite a few, especially those with no car, or especially in weather like this."