Business and the Economy

The Malvern Hills have long been associated with inspiration

It is well known that Edward Elgar, George Bernard Shaw, Bernard Lovell and others found their inspiration in the Hills and surrounding countryside. Innovators like the Victorians who developed the water cure, the Morgan family and their beautiful hand crafted cars and latterly the ongoing work of the scientists at QinetiQ who have been responsible for some of the 20th Century’s most useful new technology such as early RADAR, Liquid Crystal Flat Panel Displays and thermal imaging cameras.

The district also has a diverse and flexible business base with high levels of entrepreneurial activity, excellent business survival rates and some of the most qualified people in the country to build upon.

The district now has a strong base in the high value added and knowledge based economy with a number of resident businesses such as QinetiQ and those based at Malvern Hills Science Park (MHSP). There is considerable potential for this expertise to be shared more widely and this has been recognised regionally with QinetiQ and MHSP forming the southernmost anchor of the Central Technology Belt. The knowledge and expertise at these establishments will be used to develop the knowledge base of not only the wider district but also the county and region.

As well as a thriving high tech sector the district is home to a range of other manufacturing and service businesses. Fine examples are dotted throughout the district from the Cottage in the Wood Hotel in Malvern Wells to Frank P Matthews Tree Growers at Tenbury Wells, Malvern Instruments on Enigma Business Park to Top Barn Farm in Holt. The visitor economy is also hugely significant to the district and with assets such as the Malvern Hills, Three Counties Showground, Malvern Theatres, River Severn and Teme Valley in the district there is a lot to offer.

The Malvern Hills district has substantial natural and built, historical and cultural assets centred on the three thriving district centres of Great Malvern, Upton upon Severn and Tenbury Wells. This offers a mix of services and facilities and promotes a high quality of life for residents, visitors and investors in the area.

The Malverns have everything to inspire your business.

The Economic Development Team provides information and advice on a range of topics such as availability of business premises, funding and economic data. We are also involved in a number of projects and partnerships which help to develop the economy of the District.

Services and projects include:

• Planning and development of Economic Infrastructure
• Land and Workspace development
• Marketing the District
• Business surveys & Economic data
• Commercial premises search
• Town centre projects and promotional events
• Awards for Business Excellence - to recognise, celebrate and promote the diversity and expertise of businesses in the District
• Local Partnerships e.g. Enigma Business Park, Great Malvern Town Centre Partnership, Tenbury Area Partnership
• Our Economic Developement Strategy  (138.84 KB)

For further information, please contact us via Customer Services:

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