BUSINESS in Bromyard is bucking the national trend and going from strength to strength.

A total of 18 businesses have opened in the last 18 months and there are currently only two empty premises in the town.

Paul Webster, the former chairman of Bromyard and District Chamber of Commerce, said: “We face a major battle to make people aware of what we have in the town and people who have not been to Bromyard for some time are amazed at the transformation.

“We are now finding people are saying that they are purchasing all of their Christmas presents in the town in preference to battling to get to other local towns.”

The new chairman of the chamber of commerce, Geoff McGladdery, praised Mr Webster for his “fantastic” work and hailed it as a “great situation to inherit”.

He said: “The people of Bromyard have been rediscovering their town and the reaction has been, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this was here.’”

A trial of late night shopping on Fridays in December was met with a mixed response largely due to the poor weather but traders are keen to try again next year.

All of the 18 firms that have opened during this period remain in business.

Studio 19, the Wardrobe, Dot’s Gallery, Nicki B Nails, Perfect Presents, Bromyard Barber Shop, the Hope Emporium, Foxy’s Steak Bar, No 1 at Broad Street all opened in 2009.

Country Matters, Footprint, Treats, Too B Frock’d, the House Mistress, Gilberts Housewares, Finest County Fayre have all opened this year along with the reopening of the Hop Pole Hotel and the Queen’s Arms.

Some major improvements have been aided by Herefordshire Council’s shop front grant scheme.

In the council’s last round of grants the maximum grant available is £2,000 or 50 per cent of the costs, whichever is the lower amount.

The deadline for applications is Monday, February 7 2011.