A LITTLE piece of Malvern history has been revealed on Belle Vue Terrace.

An old fascia board with the name "Gannaways" printed on it has been exposed as part of the refurbishment of what used to be the Small Office Home Office.

Coun Roger Hall-Jones, who is also a keen local historian, said Gannaways was the name of a ladies' dress shop in 1928.

Coun Hall-Jones, who works opposite the shop at First Paige, decided to investigate further and, after looking through old newspapers, discovered that the business had begun further down the road towards the Mount Pleasant Hotel.

"The earliest mention I found, after just quickly looking, was in The Malvern News in July 1904, where Gannaway, Broad and Strachan were listed in Belle Vue Terrace," he said. "The shop at this time was in a building called Graefenburg. This was demolished in 1928 and Lloyds Bank extended over the site.

"The business then moved a few shops northwards into what had been R Crichton, Jeweller and Silversmith and then became Gannaways, Exclusive Wear for Ladies. By 1933 the business seems to have closed.

"It's just a little bit of history but it's nice to see these things still exist and I hope it isn't painted over."

Coun Hall-Jones said he found a Miss Gannaway listed as living at Ivy Rock Cottage in Happy Valley in 1915 and at Copsewood in Worcester Road in 1924. He is not sure whether she was connected with the store.