BUSINESSES in Malvern have been busy this week after re-opening following the lockdown.

Customers have returned to shops, salons and hospitality venues this week after the April 12 re-opening.

Lucy Watkins, owner of Belle Beauty, said she and her staff were “over the moon” to see customers again.

She said: “It has been wonderful to see customers returning and queues outside lots of the local businesses in Malvern.

“The local support for us has been amazing and we want to say thank you to everyone that has shopped with us during closure and booked in over the next few months.”

Another business re-opening was the Malvern Splash Leisure Centre, which welcomed back guests for the first time since a multi-million pound refurbishment.

A spokesman said: “It has been brilliant to see all the familiar faces again over the course of the week so far.

“We’re also delighted to welcome new members and to see everyone motivated and raring to go once again.

Mayor of Malvern, Cllr Neil Morton, said he had visited a number of shops during the week, adding it was great to see them re-opening.

He said: “I did take the opportunity to visit the three main shopping areas in Malvern and speak to some of the shopkeepers.

“They all mentioned how pleased they were to be able to open again for business and were all busy.

“It was a pleasure to walk along the High Street again and there was a real buzz in the air with people out and about..

“It was also good to see that despite the latest lockdown there has continued to be investment in the High Street with Austin and Co opening new premises in the old Brays building and a new Barber’s opening on Church Street.”

Cllr Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, welcomed the return of business to the town.

She said: “It feels so good to have our shops opening and our pubs and cafes able to serve us again.

“I am so looking forward to visiting my local pub and getting a haircut.

“Being able to get out and support our local businesses is key to building back our economy.

“We have delivered our new look Malvern Splash and it is ready for everyone to enjoy, especially the young people with all the new equipment.”

Hospitality businesses serving food can also re-open, with Alison Pearson, who runs the Poolbrook Kitchen and Cafe, saying the week had been a great success.

She said: “We have had a great start after the initial shock of the snow on Monday morning.

“Lots of our regulars have already joined us two or three times since we re-opened on Monday and have enjoyed an al fresco breakfast, lunch or coffee and cake.

“Wednesday was extremely busy at lunchtime and the other days it has been more spread out.

“There are several periods over the next few days where we are fully booked particularly at lunchtime and we are pretty sure that Saturday morning will be a busy one as lots of our regulars, who are unable to join us during the week, will be wanting to start the weekend off with a breakfast.

“We just hope the the sun continues to shine to encourage people to join us.”

Not all hospitality venues are re-opening yet, however, with indoor dining still a way off.

AJ Bains, general manager of the Mount Pleasant Hotel, explained why they are remaining closed until May 17.

He said: “My team and I are really looking forward to opening next month.

“We are so excited to be able to greet our regulars again and also welcome new guests.

“There is a bit to do before we open, such as sprucing the place up again, retraining and going through risk assessments.

“We will get all this done before we open, so the main focus will be giving our guests the best service possible.”

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “The vaccination programme has been a huge success and I urge everyone to get a jab when they are invited.

“This means that our hospital has seen a sharp drop in cases and shops are re-opening again and we are able to get back to doing the things that we love.

“I am planning to get out and about over the coming weeks showing my support for local retailers and local hospitality venues.

“My hairdresser can’t see me until the second half of May so there is clearly a lot of pent-up demand and I hope people will be eager to get out and shop local in a covid-safe way.

“The Treasury Committee of which I am a Member has heard evidence that there is over £150 billion of money saved up waiting to be spent and the economy needs a boost.”