It’s not just holidaymakers that are attracted to The Malverns; over the past few months lots of new and exciting businesses have been opening their doors across our district. Our highstreets in Tenbury Wells, Malvern and Upton upon Severn were already brimming with independent businesses and fantastic cuisines but now there’s even more to explore with mini golf, bike hire and vintage boutique furniture just some of the new businesses that have sprouted on our highstreets this spring.
On top of new high-street businesses, some brand new festivals and events are planned this summer at The Fold and The Three Counties Showground. Make sure you read to the end to find out about even more new businesses opening their doors soon.
The OCC – Great Malvern
This January, after a period of renovation, underground bar OCC emerged on to Church Street in Great Malvern. Made up of a stylish pub, events space and outdoor courtyard the OCC has gone from strength to strength hosting comedy nights, live music and special parties for events like Eurovision. By day the OCC is a friendly and comfortable place to meet friends, or watch sport on the big screen, by night party in the theatre, or enjoy one of their comedy nights. As one of the only late night venues in Great Malvern the OCC has a lot to offer.
The OCCRossiter Books
Great Malvern is fast becoming a destination for book lovers, with popular book and coffee shop Malvern Book Co-operative as well as multiple second hand bookshops. In Spring 2023 Rossiter Books added to this offering by opening in the old Colemans building. Started by a husband and wife team Rossiter now has five locations including the new Malvern shop, and brings a great collection of new releases and children’s literature as well as stationary and book accessories.
Rossiter BooksMalvern Coffee Culture
Super cosy coffee house Malvern Coffee Culture serves up craft coffee, teas and even the trendy Macha latte. The décor is comfortable but stylish with deep teal walls and green velvet seating complimenting the brown leather sofas and wooden floors. Try their red pepper Danish or filled croissant for a savoury snack or enjoy a great selection of freshly baked cakes and pastries including vegan and gluten free options.
Located at 20 Worcester Road in Malvern next to Santander.
Crew Clothing
Classic British clothing retailer Crew came to Great Malvern at the start of 2023 and compliments well our already thriving clothing offer. Visitors to Great Malvern can now fill and afternoon browsing the best in stylish women’s clothing from Dynastic Art, Tina Iacovelli, Deja Vu, Solo Boutique, Tunics Plus and now Crew Clothing.
Crew ClothingMini Golf at Café No 8
Having opened its doors to hungry guests last winter Café No 8 on Upton’s New Street is branching out into new territory. Customers can now relax after their meal with a game of mini golf in the sunny courtyard. Specialising in quality cooked breakfasts, including a fantastic full English (as well as its vegetarian counterpart), and delicious lunches including salads, sandwiches and cream teas the café has a great reputation for being welcoming and child friendly. Ace!
Cafe No. 8Vintage 496
On the hunt for that perfect vintage piece to add to your home? Head to Great Malvern to browse Vintage 496 for glamorous chesterfield sofas, vintage lighting and quirky decorative signs and posters. Owners Karen and Vance take great pride sourcing the best in unusual and authentic furniture and trinkets from years gone by.
Vintage 496The Cob House Caravanning and Camping
As well as fishing lakes, a popular café and resident animals (including a surprise baby alpaca!) The Cob House has now opened their camping and caravanning site. Nestled in beautiful countryside, but just 8 miles from Worcester City centre, the site is surrounded by walking routes, wildlife and cosy pubs. The campsite has pitches for motorhomes and caravans, some that over look the fishing lakes, as well as camping pitches and brand new shower facilities. There’s a licenced bar on site and The Mayfly Café serves an excellent breakfast if you’re tired of your camping stove.
The Cob houseMaker and Wright
This small but perfectly formed shop is chock full with handmade, small batch and independent homewares from organic beeswax candles to woollen blankets woven in Yorkshire. The clever owners create their own line of wooden wares like candle holders, bespoke furniture and peg rails and supplement their offer with a choice of carefully curated small brands. Focussing on traditional crafts and sustainability Maker and Wright is sure to become your new stop for housewarming gifts or that perfect piece of bespoke furniture. Soon to be opening their cellar making more space for goodies. They are also opening their exhibition and workshop space Salt Room this summer with an exhibition from mixed media artist Shaun Loynds from 17 June – 14 July.
Maker and WrightHappy Bike Malvern
The Malverns is a hotspot for cycling enthusiasts with it’s stunning countryside and exciting trails over the Malvern Hills. Now there’s a dedicated space for bike hire, repairs and custom builds in Great Malvern. Happy Bikes have a range of e-bikes, custom bikes and accessories for sale and can fix just about any problem going. The owners have a real passion for cycling as well as great knowledge and are always on hand for friendly advice.
Happy BikeGarlands Flowers Florist Transformation
Top quality Tenbury Wells florist Garlands Flowers has transformed an abandoned shop into a botanical paradise. The florists have taken their over 40 years experience providing high quality floral design to the new shop on the corner of Market Street, which had lain dormant. Garlands Flowers provides flowers for all occasions, bespoke bouquets as well as homewares and plant accessories.
garlands Flowers floristCrazy Golf at Top Barn
Top Barn Farm Park and Shop at Holt Heath have recently opened their newest attraction – a creative nine hole crazy golf course. Alongside the animals the nine hole course promises twists and turns along the way and is located just down below their coffee cabin and play area. The farm park remains free entry but for the crazy golf it is £4.50 with a reduced rate of £3 for 5 year olds and younger.
Top barn Facebook PageLakeside Climbing Wall
The University of Worcester’s Lakeside Campus has recently added a climbing wall to the long list of activities available at their site. Members of the public are able to book in for sessions or parties to try a whole host of sports and activities like wild swimming, archery and now climbing. The tower is 10 metres high and incudes a zip wire, climbing wall and abseiling wall.
Lakeside CampusThree Counties Food and Drink Festival
The Three Counties Food & Drink Festival, a brand-new weekend festival promising a food-lovers’ paradise. The festival will be a destination food and drink event with some of the region’s best food and drink producers, celebrity chef demonstrations, workshops, meet the producer demonstrations showcasing the best of local products, plus some of the UK’s best street food, bars and vendors. Visit over 150 Artisans and Traders, sample street food, listen to live music and join activities and demonstrations from celebrity chefs.
Food & Drink FestivalGreat Malvern Train Station Refurbishment
The historic canopies at Great Malvern Train Station have been painstakingly restored to their colourful glory. A new glass roof has been installed and the detailed cast iron girders with floral details have been repaired and painted back to their original colours. The station itself has been providing a pretty welcome to visitors to Great Malvern for 163 years and can now continue to enjoy its spot as one of the most beautiful stations in the country for years to come.
Great Malvern StationWagtail Retreats, Hallow
Husband and wife team James and Chloe swapped the commuter life for an idyllic vineyard with spectacular views of the hills – and you can too by booking a stay in one of their shepherds huts. The perfect mix of rustic charm and comfortable amenities the shepherds huts are the ideal place to stargaze from the wraparound deck and get away from it all for a while. The location is second to none with views of the Malvern Hills, gorgeous sunsets, wild swimming pond for a refreshing morning dip and even an onsite vineyard.
Wagtail RetreatsAlturo Lounge
After a million pound investment into the listed Victoria building on Bellevue Terrace in Great Malvern, the company behind Cosy Club will open Alturo Lounge on 5 July 2023. The location will offer all day dining from breakfast through to dinner and cocktails and be welcoming to families and dogs. The eatery is hoping to benefit the community by hosting groups and supporting local initiatives.
Malvern Theatres Re-Development
The first stage of the £20 million re-development of the Malvern Theatres is due to host its first show in the new studio space Studio One on 17 July 2023. The space will then become a rehearsal space for Malvern Theatres Young Company as well as hosting a programme of regular workshops, classes and even film screenings.
The new modernised frontage will be open from the end of June 2023 and an open day will be held on 15 July and provide the first opportunity for the public to view the new space.
Malvern TheatresThe Fig Deli – Now Open!
In Great Malvern The Fig has now opened a deli next to its restaurant offering local produce, meat, cheeses and zero waste re-fill options. Transformed from an old cobblers the small but perfectly formed deli is full of local fruit, veg and farm produce as well as takeaway lunch options like salads, sandwiches and even vegan scotch eggs. The Fig restaurant has also announced their summer menu offering tapas such as calamari and garlic buttered prawns with three plates for £20.
Find out moreDirty D’s Doughnuts & Coffee
A new dessert spot to soothe your sugar cravings has opened on Church Walk in Great Malvern. Fluffy fried dough in all sorts of flavours is currently being concocted in their kitchen ready for your afternoon pick-me-up. Coffee and doughnuts are a match made in heaven, so hot cups of the stuff from Worcester roasters Studio Roasters are brewed to accompany your snack.
Find out moreComing Soon
We are reliably informed there is plenty more to come over the next few months….
Hillbilly’s to Open Eat In Location
Popular street food kitchen Hillbilly’s have taken on a location to turn their takeaway into an eat in restaurant in Malvern Link. This is due to open summer 2023 and will serve creative burgers, loaded fries and fan favourite side dishes.
CJ’s Steakhouse
Upton upon Severn will soon see the opening of a new steak and cocktail bar on Church Street, CJ’s Steakhouse. Due to open in soon it promises to be a fantastic evening offer.
The Lantern at The Mount Pleasant
The team behind Great Malvern’s Mount Pleasant Hotel and their fantastic restaurant The Mulberry Tree are opening a new venture, The Lantern, in mid July 2023. The Lantern will be a stylish food and beverage facility able to cater to up to 100 guests with epic views from its terrace. The name gives a nod to Malvern’s famous Victorian gas lamps and it will provide the perfect pit stop for those making their way up or down the Malvern Hills.
Mount Pleasant HotelThe Malverns is positively brimming with new activities, shops and eateries with more exiting plans unfolding over the next few months – see all this, as well as our longstanding favourites, on your next visit.
