RELATIONS are already improving between the Malvern Hills Conservators and St Ann’s Well café tenant John Redman.

An apology was issued to Mr Redman last week when the charity’s internal inquiry committee revealed a catalogue of failings in the long-running affair and an intention to move forward and work together was also outlined.

The board also voted 17 to one in favour of acknowledging the report and recognising the need for reform.

Some of the ideas being discussed to pave a way to a brighter future include the Conservators investing money to improve the external structure of the building as well as the living accommodation and the café itself.

Other avenues being mooted are the Conservators’ director Steve Bound holding discussion surgeries at the well, the positioning of information boards and maintaining the purity of the spring water.

Mr Redman said work had already started.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to work together in the future and have much better communication and therefore not have the problems we have seen in the past,” he said.

“We are trying to make sure people understand the situation with regard that Malvern Hills Conservators are not responsible for running the café.”

Mr Bound said: “I think we have already established good working relationships.

“We both understand where each other is coming from and are both hopeful and confident we can put things behind us and move forward.”

He added although the facility was used for Mr Redman’s independent business it could be use to the mutual benefit of both parties.

“This should be an asset for us in terms of the building and a place where we can communicate with the public,” said Mr Bound.

A St Ann’s Well café working party has already been formed to meet every couple of months with the intention of discussing any potential problems.

It is made up of the board’s chairman Brian Pilcher, vice-chairman Tym Musgrove, board members Chris Rouse and Richard Chamings and the director.

The second part of the inquiry will now set about examining the governance of the board in terms of structure, communication and training.