A TENBURY business received funding from Malvern Hills District Council, helping a young entrepreneur to open a shop in town.

The funding, delivered by the council, comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

This is part of the UK Government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March next year.

The fund focuses on increasing life opportunities across the UK, investing in communities and supporting local businesses, people and skills.

Pitter Potter, a pottery studio set up by Louise Preston, £2,500 towards its new shop ahead of its opening last year.

Ludlow Advertiser: Louise Preston with her mother ClaireLouise Preston with her mother Claire (Image: Rob Davies)

The studio offers baby prints, group bookings, studio hire and commission pieces as well as a paint-your-own experience.

The owner Miss Preston only finished her A-Levels at Lucton School in 2022, and chose to start her own business instead of going to university.

At the time of opening the Teme Street shop, she said: "Last year, I was doing A-Levels at Lucton. As a student, I had a lot of teachers very keen for me to go to Oxford University. University has many advantages, certainly, but I knew it would never suit me, and I wanted to stay where I belonged to set up a business. With guidance from the Princes' Trust, Worcestershire County Council business training and assorted local business owners, I wrote a plan, did some training and began looking for premises.

"In many respects, I was lucky - the perfect property came up for rent at the perfect time. Less lucky in other respects, the building had no plumbing, and faulty electrics!"

Commenting on the funding provided by Malvern Hills District Council, Councillor Beverley Nielsen, portfolio holder for tourism and economic development at the council, said: "We are pleased local businesses have taken the opportunity to grow and develop. We would encourage any local organisation to take a look and see if this fund can help."

Other businesses in the Malvern Hills district that have received funding include Cob House Country Park in Wichenford, Boundless Outdoors in Malvern, the Fig in Great Malvern, Salon Number Six in Upton on Severn, Malvern Pride, Malvern Rocks, En Plein Air and Wagtail Retreats Limited