"MALVERN'S top department store has been bought for more than £700,000 by staff, private investors, and its new directors after a 'hair-raising fight'," reported the Gazette 25 years ago.

"Contracts were exchanged for Warwick House after five weeks of three-way negotiation with Birmingham businessman Mr Stanley Cohen, who, last week, increased his offer by £75,000.

"After 11th hour discussions, the local group agreed to match his offer and they will now take over the store from Gieves and Hawkes on August 3, returning the outfitters to local management.

"Warwick House of Malvern Ltd will be run by a board of eight directors as an 'expansion-minded' company."

But elsewhere in the town centre, it was conflict, with residents of Queens Drive, off Worcester Road, complaining about local motorists parking in the road, in front of their houses and even blocking their drives, plus noise late at night from slamming doors and revving engines.

Explained the Gazette: "The private road is owned by Brays Outfitters, who issue parking permits, mainly to nearby shop owners and people working in the town centre. But according to managing director Mr Christopher Davis the permits were an attempt to control parking."

Mr Davis said: "A lot of people park here without our permission, but short of patrolling the road constantly there's nothing we can do. The cars at night are nothing to do with us - all our permit holders park during the day."