STAFF from hospitality businesses across the Malvern Hills say they are glad to be back after their first week since Covid restrictions eased. Since April 12, hospitality businesses have been allowed to open for outdoor dining, though a number of businesses in the town are remaining closed until May, when indoor dining is set to be allowed again. Stanbrook Abbey in Callow End has re-opened, putting up a large teepee in its grounds to allow groups to dine. General manager Gordon Burniston said it was great to be back welcoming customers again. He said: “Throughout the last week we have been delighted to see so many returning and new customers. Our expansive grounds and gardens are open for guests to enjoy when dining alfresco, but our outdoor spaces have been transformed in recent months to create far more of an experience for our diners.
ROAD raising in a flood-hit Worcestershire village could cost nearly £5million if the county council bids for funding. As part of a government fund to help “level up” flood defences, Worcestershire County Council could bid for £4.8 million to help raise roads near Powick, which have regularly been flooded in recent years. West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has called on the council to bid for the funding, which has been set aside by the government to help improve infrastructure around the country. Mrs Baldwin called for the county to bid, saying: “I have been told that the work can’t run in parallel with the current work to dual the Carrington Road bridge, but I think this project meets the criteria for the ‘Levelling Up’ fund which aims to support spade ready projects which improve our infrastructure.