HOW lovely it was to be in Malvern to attend the Band in the Park concert on Sunday afternoon.

To see the bandstand being used for the original purpose was something special.

We read the letter in last week's newspaper from C R Leyland of Cridlan & Walker.

Having been regular visitors to Great Malvern since the late 1970s, we have noticed the gradual demise of the smaller shops in the town. It is very sad to see any long-standing business close and to see several shops now empty is very worrying. As C R Leyland says the town needs to be regenerated.

Might one suggestion be to hold some Saturday afternoon Band in the Park concerts when the shops are open? With some publicity the aim would be to bring people into the town to the park and then hopefully to shop too. How about some carol concerts too, nearer to Christmas?

It seems that positive action must be taken sooner rather than later. Let's hope that the town can re-awaken a little and encourage some independent small businesses in.

M & K TRACEY, Essex.