WITH its individual shops and absence of large chain stores, Malvern is a great place to shop at any time of the year and set against the backdrop of the Malvern Hills, it is always a pleasure to visit.

The better known shopping centres are of course Great Malvern and Malvern Link, but pausing on the way to Malvern Link from Great Malvern reaps its own reward.

Try turning left at the traffic lights on Link Top into Cowleigh Road, leading to Newtown Road and there is a relatively hidden area of small shops which are well worth a visit.

Parking is easy. There is a pay and display car park at Link Top at the beginning of Cowleigh Road, and you can even take your bottles or old clothes for recycling there too as there are plenty of recycling banks.

Strolling along the side of the hill takes you to the shops nestled behind the main thoroughfare and which the average shopper would only find if they knew they were there.

For people living in Cowleigh Road, this area is vital. Anne Jones who lives close by said: "It is really useful and like our own little community. We have a convenience store, hardware type shop as well as more specialist stores.

We also have a couple of pubs and if you just want a quick loaf of bread there is a bakery which means I can pop there instead of driving into Great Malvern or the Link, finding somewhere to park, and going to a bigger shop just for some bread."

As well as these useful shops, there are more specialist outlets catering for suit hire, particularly good for weddings, an electrical appliance shop for washing machines etc and also repairs, hairdressers, a florist, a pet shop, tile shop with an impressive range and galleries.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR A CHALLENGE

MALVERN looks set to be glowing again this Christmas with festive lights, events in the priory and lots of shops ensuring a good selection of presents without having to brave the city crowds elsewhere.

Sometimes it is fun to set a personal challenge of finding as many Christmas presents as possible in a smaller town without the usual big chainstores to rely on.

Malvern is a great place to complete this challenge. It has lots of smaller shops selling everything from curtain fabric and kitchenware to art supplies and pictures, clothes shops and gift shops.

It is amazing what presents can be found and will possible even bring more joy to the receiver as it is possible to find something just a little bit different if you look hard enough.

There is a sense of fulfilment at having found something a bit special for someone without lining the pockets of the major chainstores!

You can even have your own Christmas cards printed from a selection at First Paige printers too.

Of course shopping is quite tiring and coffee or lunch is important too. Malvern has some great places to eat and drink and for just a spot of quiet contemplation, the grounds of Malvern Priory or a rest in the park behind Malvern Theatres are ideal places to people watch and rest weary feet. Malvern Priory hosts various events during December but starts on December 2 with an Elgar Chorale Advent concert at 7.30pm when singers will perform Mozart's Coronation Mass amonth other pieces.