I READ with interest the report about success for our district's finest businesses (Malvern Gazette, April 9) in Malvern Hills District Council's Platinum Awards.

While it is good to see local business promote themselves and put in a great deal of effort to bring people into the town, I can't help but think they are on an uphill struggle.

I note that the Cottage in the Wood, the Foley and the Colwall Park have had to employ a "public relations" expert, no doubt at great expense, to organise promotion and a website.

Bearing in mind these are three very well established companies you may have thought our council would have been more then happy to help out with promotions, website etc.

We can only congratulate business that does well, but in the Malvern area, simply to stay in business, particularly shop owners/retail, is an achievement in itself.

We only have to look down the high street to see empty shops or charity shops taking centre stage in prime locations where previous businesses have chosen to move away or simply close.

It is all very well to go to a prize- giving event organised by our council and receive a cash prize and get your name in the paper when many other businesses have been forced out for one reason or another.

The council shouldn't take too long wallowing in self-congratulation and get down to the job in hand, before we read about the next shop/business closing its doors for the last time.

PAUL WRIGHT, West Malvern Road, Malvern.