West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has spoken up for businesses in Barnards Green during a visit to a new coffee shop last week. The MP dropped in to chat with the owners of the Café in the Green - Alison Pearson and Ken Craggs - about the challenges facing the retail community in Malvern and the benefits of small business rate relief. The Café was opened last year and ran a successful Christmas lunch for local elderly people getting support and donations from many local Barnards Green businesses. The Café staff can also cater events and also catered for a VIP buffet for the visit by the Russian trade delegation in January. Harriett commented: “Barnards Green is a busy and vibrant array of shops, including many independent traders like this café. Customers come from all over but include The Chase School and many of Malvern's most important businesses. “There is a special community spirit, clearly evidenced by the way businesses pulled together at Christmas time to look after some of our less fortunate elderly people. “Local shops face real challenges over the last few years with the rise of the internet, but it is pleasing to see the see that retail businesses are able to start up and succeed if they deliver what customers want. “Shops in Barnards Green have been feeding the brilliant brains of Malvern for many decades and I am pleased to say that the future looks safe in the hands of people like Alison and Ken.”